White Sox DFA Jarred Kelenic to Make Room for Rikuu Nishida

The Chicago White Sox designated outfielder Jarred Kelenic for assignment to clear space for infielder Rikuu Nishida, who was added to the 26-man roster. The move comes after Kelenic struggled in limited big league action this season and failed to make a consistent impact in the majors.

Kelenic, 26, joined the White Sox on a minor league deal this offseason and began the season at Triple-A. Over 26 games at the level, he hit .202/.346/.464 with six home runs in 104 plate appearances. His on-base percentage was helped by an 18.3% walk rate, but his batting average was held back by a .224 BABIP. In the majors, Kelenic appeared in 19 games, striking out in 33.9% of his plate appearances while posting a .226/.305/.321 line with a 10.2% walk rate.

The White Sox had previously given Kelenic a chance in the majors after his 2023 season with the Mets, where he hit .211/.283/.374 with an 84 wRC+ in 1,547 career plate appearances. His struggles at the plate and inconsistent defensive evaluations have limited his value. Kelenic has exhausted his option years, forcing the White Sox to remove him from the 40-man roster.

Now in DFA limbo, Kelenic will go through the 48-hour waiver process. If he clears waivers, the White Sox can outright him to a minor league team or he can elect free agency. He previously cleared waivers in October 2023 and has not improved enough to generate significant trade interest.

The move creates roster space for Nishida, who was acquired in a trade with the Mariners and is expected to contribute at second base or as a utility player. The White Sox are actively evaluating their bench and infield options as the season progresses.

Kelenic’s future remains uncertain, but with limited suitors and no recent production to suggest a turnaround, he is likely to become a free agent. The White Sox will finalize their roster decisions within the next five days.