White Sox trade Thaiss to Rays for minor-league outfielder, reinstate Lee from IL

NEW YORK (WGN) — The Chicago White Sox have traded backup catcher Matt Thaiss to the Tampa Bay Rays for a minor-league outfielder, which opens up a roster spot for Korey Lee to return from the injured list.

According to a press release from the team Tuesday, the minor-league outfielder acquired by Chicago, Dru Baker, is hitting .245/.344/.302 in 53 at-bats with one home run, three RBI and 10 runs scored over 17 games with the Triple-A Durham Bulls this season. He has been on the seven-day injured list since April 22 with a left adductor strain.

Shortly after the trade was announced, the White Sox reinstated Lee from the 10-day injured list and returned him from his injury rehabilitation assignment with the Triple-A Charlotte Knights.

Lee will take the roster spot of Thaiss following his trade to Tampa Bay.

Baker slashed .288/.344/.328 with 13 doubles, 44 RBI, 50 runs scored and 42 stolen bases over 110 games with the Double-A Montgomery Biscuits in 2024. He ranked among the Double-A leaders in steals (T-5th) and batting average (8th).

Baker, who bats and throws right-handed, is batting .290/.368/.403 with 41 doubles, 14 triples, 21 home runs, 143 RBI, 190 runs scored and 119 stolen bases in 312 career games over five minor-league seasons (2021-25) in the Rays organization.

Thaiss slashed .212/.382/.294 with four doubles, one home run, eight RBI, 11 runs scored and 23 walks over 35 games and 85 at-bats with the White Sox in 2025, his first season with the club.

The White Sox take on the New York Mets Tuesday, with first pitch set for 6:10 p.m. CT. Chicago’s Jonathan Cannon (2-5, 3.76 ERA) will face off against New York’s Tylor Megill (3-4, 3.56 ERA).