The White Sox have cut loose outfielder Jerry Owens. Owens lost out to DeWayne Wise and Brian Anderson in a battle for the starting CF job this spring. Owens played in 17 games this spring for the White Sox going 14 for 61 (.230 avg, .604 OPS) with 10 runs scored, 5 RBIs and 3 stolen bases. Owens played three years for the White Sox appearing in 117 games in which he was 102 for 381 (.268 avg, .633 OPS) with 49 runs scored, 1 homer, 18 RBIs and 35 stolen bases.

UPDATE: Owens cleared waivers and he will start the season in AAA-ball. At some point in 2009 I have to think the White Sox will give Owens another shot.

The White Sox have placed 2B Jayson Nix on the 15-day disabled list with a strained right quadriceps. Nix played in 7 games this spring for the White Sox in which he was 6 for 13 (.462 avg, 1.255 OPS) with 1 run scored. His injury hurt him big time as he was battling Chris Getz for the starting job at 2B this spring.

The Rays have returned Rule 5 Pick Derek Rodriguez to the White Sox. Rodriguez pitched in 49 games (1 start) last season in AA+AAA and he was 5-2 with 2 saves, 3.29 ERA and a 1.10 WHIP. He whiffed 88 batters last season in the minors in only 79.1 innings while allowing only 54 hits. It’s good that the White Sox got Rodriguez back from the Rays as he is a talented pitcher.

The White Sox have traded 25-year old righty swinging shortstop Sergio Santos to the Giants for future consideration. Santos played in 112 games in AAA-ball last season and he was 89 for 390 (.228 avg, .607 OPS) with 51 runs scored, 5 homers, 47 RBIs and 6 stolen bases. This is no loss for the White Sox as they have way too many players ahead of Santos on the depth chart to keep him around.

The White Sox have signed 29-year old switch hitting outfielder Tim Raines Jr. to a minor league deal. Raines played in 128 games in AAA-ball last season in which he was 156 for 502 (.311 avg, .876 OPS) with 96 runs scored, 18 homers, 78 RBIs and 29 stolen bases. Raines has also played in 75 games in his major league career in which he was 34 for 160 (.213 avg, .544 OPS) with 24 runs scored, 7 RBIs and 10 stolen bases. Raines last played in the majors in 2004 with the Orioles. Raines has the speed that manager Ozzie Guillen likes so he could get a chance at some point in 2009 for the White Sox.