The Chicago White Sox designated catcher Martín Maldonado for assignment Wednesday, a source confirmed to the Tribune.
Maldonado has a .119/.174/.230 slash line with four home runs and 11 RBIs in 48 games this season. He signed a one-year, $4.25 million contract with the Sox during the offseason.
Best known for his work with pitching staffs, Maldonado had hit better recently after a rough start to 2024. He was 6-for-15 (.400) with three home runs and six RBIs during a five-game hitting streak, raising his average from .083 to .119.
Ken Rosenthal and Chandler Rome of The Athletic initially reported the Maldonado roster move.
Maldonado, 37, entered the season as the team’s starting catcher but had given way to Korey Lee. Maldonado made 46 starts behind the plate and Lee has made 52. Lee is slashing .218/.254/.358 with eight home runs and 24 RBIs in 75 games.
“A lot of learning and exposure in this league,” Lee said Sunday of his time behind the plate before the All-Star break. “That’s all it is. What they continue to tell me is that I’m still early in my career and I’m still learning the league, and the league’s still learning me.
“Got to continue this thing out. You’ve got to reflect on what you did and reflect on what you did bad and come into the second half and play your type of baseball.”
As far as catching depth in the minors, the Sox added Chuckie Robinson to the 40-man roster on June 16, announcing at the time they had optioned him to Triple-A Charlotte. Robinson is slashing .246/.292/.382 with seven home runs and 32 RBIs in 55 games with the Knights this season.
