The Chicago White Sox acquired outfielder Corey Julks from the Houston Astros on Wednesday in a trade for minor league right-hander Luis Rodriguez then optioned Julks to Triple-A Charlotte.
Julks, 28, appeared in 93 games with Houston last season and batted .245 with six homers and 33 RBIs. He had spent the entire 2024 season at Triple-A Sugar Land, batting .266 with five homers and 15 RBIs in 31 games, before being designated for assignment Friday.
White Sox manager Pedro Grifol said before Wednesday's series finale against the Washington Nationals that Julks might be recalled if the White Sox needed a right-handed hitter in the lineup.
The White Sox also recalled outfielder Dominic Fletcher from Charlotte and designated outfielder Rafael Ortega for assignment.
Fletcher hit .203 with six RBIs in 20 games with the White Sox earlier this season then batted .238 with a homer and four RBIs in 11 games with Charlotte after being sent down on April 23.
Rodriguez, 20, appeared in 17 games over the past two seasons in the White Sox organization. He posted a 3.93 ERA with 49 strikeouts in 36⅔ innings between the Arizona Complex League and the Dominican Summer League.
Ortega, 33, had just one hit in 14 games with Chicago this season.
The Associated Press and Field Level Media contributed to this report.