Benintendi, Slater Eye Return as White Sox Trim Roster

The White Sox announced on Monday that outfielder Dominic Fletcher has been optioned to Triple-A Charlotte. Ten other players were also assigned to minor league camp cutting the number of players remaining in White Sox camp down to 42. 

The news came the same day that Andrew Benintendi and Austin Slater took live batting practice as they work their way back from injury. 

Benintendi was struck in the hand with a pitch in late February. At the time the team announced that he would miss 4-6 weeks with a non-displaced fracture of his right hand. However, on Monday, Benintendi expressed hope that he could return by Opening Day, while manager Will Venable confirmed he would be back in the lineup as a DH on Wednesday.

Andrew Benintendi took his first live batting practice since breaking a bone in his hand earlier in camp.

He ripped some line drives. ⬇️

White Sox are off tomorrow. He hopes to play in a Cactus League game on Wednesday. pic.twitter.com/tf9lxroONd

— Chuck Garfien (@ChuckGarfien) March 17, 2025

Austin Slater, expected to platoon in right field with Mike Tauchman, recently suffered an oblique strain. He is projected to miss 2–3 weeks, but after taking live batting practice on Monday, the team is hopeful he will be ready by Opening Day. 

Fletcher’s demotion also signals that Chris Getz is not afraid to move off players he acquired. Getz traded for the 27-year-old last offseason after he showed promise in his first 28 MLB games with the Arizona Diamondbacks. However, Fletcher struggled last season, hitting just .206 with a lackluster .508 OPS over 233 at-bats. 

With only 100 MLB games under his belt, 2025 seemed like the ideal opportunity for him to earn extended playing time. However, the White Sox’s decision to keep adding veteran outfielders indicates they may not have confidence in Fletcher’s future with the team.