Chicago White Sox Notes: Kosuke Fukudome Designated, Philip Humber to the DL

There was a time when Kosuke Fukudome was a sensation.  When he first came to the United States to

play in the Majors, Cubs fans were in a  frenzy about his potential.  So much so that these were on sale outside Wrigley when I made my first (and only so far) visit to the park in 2008.  Unfotunately, Fukudome never worked out the way Cubs fans or Major League Baseball thought he would.  According to the Chicago Tribune, Fukudome was designated for assignment by the White Sox today.

Fukudome has played in five Major League seasons so far.  His career line is .258/.359/.395.  His OPS+ is 99 – right about league average.  Considering the contracts he received with the Cubs though, people expected more.  Before eventually being shipped to the Cleveland Indians the Cubs paid Fukudome a total of $27.4 million over the course of four seasons.  His best year came in 2010 when his hit .263/.371/.439 with 13 home runs.

In addition to the Fukudome move, the White Sox also placed pitcher Philip Humberon the 15-day disabled list.  Earlier this year, Humber threw a perfect game.  He’s struggled since

and began feeling elbow discomfort.  The official diagnosis is a right elbow strain.  Chicago will call up Brian Bruney to fill the roster spot.

Humber was 3-4 with a 6.01 ERA before being placed on the DL.  There had been talk from Robin Ventura and others around Chicago that Humber could be heading to the bullpen.  Instead, he’s heading to the DL.  He was the third overall pick of the 2004 draft, but he has never quite lived up to that selection.  In his career, Humber is 14-14 with a 4.57 ERA.

The White Sox are fighting for first place in the American League Central, but injuries and underperforming players could soon end their run.  They had control of the division for much of the early part of the year, but the Indians currently have a half-game lead over the Southsiders.

For more on the White Sox, be sure to check out Southside Showdown.