White Sox return Rule 5 draft pick Alexander Alberto to Rays

GLENDALE, Ariz. — The White Sox returned Rule 5 draft pick right-hander Alexander Alberto to the Rays on Thursday after placing him on waivers.

Alberto offered potential as a high-velocity arm in the bullpen, but he couldn’t harness it in the strike zone. Alberto had a miserable spring training, posting a 10.80 ERA with nearly as many walks (four) as strikeouts (seven).

“He’s got very good stuff, [but] he’s still very much a work in progress,” manager Will Venable said. “We view him as someone who’s definitely going to be a major-league pitcher. The opportunity just wasn’t right for him here.”

The Sox bet on Alberto and fellow Rule 5 pick Jedixson Paez’s makeup and character, hoping they could be quick learners and “put themselves in a spot to help us.” Paez could be of use as a multi-inning reliever after the team lost right-hander Mike Vasil to season-ending Tommy John surgery.

“There’s some risk involved with that, but when we did our background check on the kind of people they were and looked at their skill set, their arsenal, we thought that Alberto had a chance,” Venable said. “And it didn’t work out for him. But it doesn’t take away the fact that he’s a really talented guy that’s going to pitch for a long time in the big leagues.”

Outfield depth in flux

It’s likely that Andrew Benintendi and Austin Hays will occupy the corner outfield spots on Opening Day in Milwaukee. And while the team hasn’t made it official, Luisangel Acuna is the most probable choice to patrol center field.

“There’s little nuance to the center-field position that he’s going to continue to experience, get reps at and learn from,” Venable said. “But overall, he’s doing all the right things — throwing to the right bases, and more importantly the work he’s doing with [first-base coach Jose Leger] and [major-league field coordinator Chris Denorfia] in the mornings. This guy’s really committed to improving, and it’s showing up.”

Aside from their three starters, the Sox’ outfield remains in flux. Everson Periera, Jarred Kelenic, Derek Hill and Tristan Peters haven’t stood out. Figuring out the right mix on the bench will be important because Benintendi — who played a career-low 69 games in the outfield and a career-high 44 as designated hitter — will spend more time as the DH, and Hays has dealt with injuries since an All-Star 2021 season.

Hill has the inside track for a bench role. Venable has lauded Hill for his “elite defense,” and Hill has been productive this spring, batting .297 with a .990 OPS. But his lifetime .229 batting average is more representative of who he is as a hitter.

Peters made a jaw-dropping catch to prevent a three-run homer in Saturday’s Cactus League game. But he profiles similarly to Hill as a defense-first player who provides little at the plate.

Baldwin update

Outfielder Brooks Baldwin hasn’t played since March 6 because of a sore right elbow. It’s increasingly likely that he begins the season on the injured list.

Sox 4, Diamondbacks 2

• Right-hander Davis Martin threw 4⅔ innings, allowing two runs and two hits with four walks and three strikeouts.

• First baseman Munetaka Murakami recorded the Sox’ first hit of the game in the fourth inning off former Sox pitcher Michael Soroka.

• On deck: Sox at Angels, 2:10 p.m. Friday, Tempe, Shane Smith vs. Jose Soriano.