Tim Elko returns to the Chicago White Sox, who place Lenyn Sosa on the IL with a right hip flexor strain

Will Venable referred to Chicago White Sox infielder Lenyn Sosa as a sneaky performer.

Hes just a guy that was in there every day and (you) kind of just look up and hes among our team leaders in all categories, the Sox manager said Wednesday afternoon.

Sosa entered Wednesday with a team-leading 55 hits.

But hell be out of the mix after going on the 10-day injured list with a right hip flexor strain.

Sosa said the setback occurred while he was running in Mondays game against the Detroit Tigers at Rate Field.

I started feeling it early in the game and as the game progressed, the pain was more intense, Sosa said through an interpreter.

Thank God its nothing serious.

I think (in) a week and a half, Im going to be able to come back.

With Sosa sidelined, the Sox recalled first baseman Tim Elko from Triple-A Charlotte.

Its been a journey and thats part of the game, Elko, 26, said.

Ive enjoyed every minute of it.

Youve got to enjoy the ups and downs.

Being back here definitely feels great to be with these guys and just get ready to win some games.

Elko went 5-for-31 (.161) with three home runs and five RBIs in 10 games during his first stint with the Sox from May 10-22.

He said his biggest takeaways from that experience included trying to stay within myself, not try to do too much and just kind of see ball, hit ball.

I think when I was up here at the beginning, I think maybe I was overswinging a little bit, trying to do a little too much, Elko said.

(Its) kind of just staying within myself and just trusting myself.

Elko has been a force with the Knights, ranking third in the International League in slugging percentage (.596), fourth in OPS (.984), tied for fourth in home runs (11) and 10th in batting average (.315).

I felt really good yesterday, kind of got back in my groove and felt like myself, Elko said of a 2-for-4 performance against Lehigh Valley.

So glad to be back here today.

White Sox first baseman Tim Elko flies out against the Marlins on May 10, 2025, at Rate Field.

(Chris Sweda/Chicago Tribune) The Sox had Elko at first base and moved Miguel Vargas back to third for Wednesdays game against the Tigers.

Vargas had been playing more at first after the Sox optioned Andrew Vaughn to Charlotte .

Josh Rojas shifted from third to fill Sosas spot at second.

As we shuffle things after Sosas injury, just kind of made sense to backfill some infield stuff, we have the flexibility to do it, Venable said.

We ...

were just talking about doing some iterations of our lineup where we do mix in Vargas at third base, just to continue to mix it in because its such an important part of his game and he does so well.

So now we have the opportunity to do that.

Well mix back and forth, but youll see him at third base.

White Sox second baseman Lenyn Sosa (50) is congratulated by manager Will Venable after scoring on a bases-loaded walk in the third inning against the Rangers on May 23, 2025, at Rate Field.

(John J.

Kim/Chicago Tribune) The Sox hadnt locked down a timetable for Sosas return as of Wednesday afternoon.

Today is a big evaluation day for him, well set a plan at some point today and take it day by day, Venable said.

Sosa is slashing .274/.291/.383 with four home runs, 10 doubles, 17 RBIs and 15 runs in 57 games.

He has a .320 average in his last 21 games.

I was feeling very good (at the plate), Sosa said.

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That was the fifth-best average in the American League in those circumstances as of Wednesday afternoon.

Just be more patient in that situation, in that count, Sosa said of his two-strike approach.

Because usually I like to swing at pitches out of the strike zone.

Thats who I am, but in that count I try to be more patient and have a better selection.

Venable said Sosa has been a really good performance and productive.

Hes meant a lot to this team and solid defense at second base, Venable said.

Were going to miss him.

Hes been doing a great job, and hope he gets back soon.

The Sox made two more roster moves Wednesday, claiming pitcher Ryan Cusick off waivers from the Tigers and optioning him to Charlotte while transferring pitcher Miguel Castro to the 60-day injured list.

Cusick, 25, has a 6.32 ERA and 11 strikeouts in 14 relief appearances this season between Triple-A Las Vegas in the Athletics organization and Triple-A Toledo in the Tigers system.

Castro originally went on the 15-day injured list (retroactive to Thursday) with a patellar tendon tear in his right knee suffered while covering first base on May 28 against the New York Mets at Citi Field..

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