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CHICAGO (CBS/AP) — New Chicago White Sox utility infielder Josh Rojas should provide some steady defense, primarily at third base, but it sounds like he is also going to be the go-to soundbite in the clubhouse.
Rojas is already familiar with the passionate fanbase on the South Side, and the entire win-starved city.
“I’m pretty familiar. I’ve been there a few times. I’ve had my run-ins with some White Sox fans. I’ve seen my Instagram since I’ve signed, been tagged in a few tweets—so I’ve been getting a pretty good taste of what it can be like in Chicago when their teams aren’t winning. You know, I’m a big NFL fan. I like the NFL. I’ve seen what they’ve done to the Bears on social media, so I’m pretty familiar,” Rojas said. “So we’ll see. We’ll see, depending on how the year’s going, whether I’m opening Twitter or Instagram.”
The White Sox signed Rojas for a $3.5 million, one-year contract that was finalized Wednesday, while infielder Jake Amaya was designated for assignment.
The 30-year-old Rojas hit .225 with eight homers, 31 RBIs and 10 steals in 143 games with Seattle last season. He was non-tendered by the Mariners in November.
The White Sox have also added Martín Pérez to their rotation, agreeing to a one-year contract with the left-hander, a source said this week.
The 33-year-old Pérez played for Pittsburgh and San Diego last season, going 5-6 with a 4.53 ERA in 26 starts. He is 90-87 with a 4.44 ERA in 314 major league appearances, including 269 starts.
Pérez was on the injured list with a left groin strain from May 28 to June 28. He pitched six scoreless innings in his final start for Pittsburgh before he was traded to San Diego on July 30 for a minor-league pitcher.
He finished strongly for the Padres, going 3-1 with a 3.46 ERA in his last 10 starts. He did not pitch in the postseason for San Diego, which was eliminated by the Dodgers in an NL Division Series.
The White Sox also announced outfielder Corey Julks cleared waivers and was assigned outright to Triple-A Charlotte, and infielder Braden Shewmake was claimed off waivers by the Kansas City Royals.
The Sox are looking to rebound from a terrible 2024. The White Sox went 41-121, setting a post-1900 major league record for losses in a season.
Ryan Baker is weekday Morning News anchor at CBS2 Chicago.
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