The White Sox have had an eventful Friday -- at least as it pertains to roster moves. In addition to activating first baseman-slash-designated hitter Justin Morneau from the disabled list, the White Sox have also brought up top prospect Carson Fulmer to work from the bullpen.
Here's five things you need to know about these moves and how they impact the White Sox.
1. Morneau is a total wild card
The story throughout Morneau's career has been that he's hit when healthy. Unfortunately, Morneau has seldom been healthy as of late. He's played in fewer than 50 games in two of the past three years, and in 2016 he's appeared in only eight rehab games. Based on Morneau's past, you'd like to think he could turn in league-average production at the plate. But he's oft-injured and in his mid-30s, so who can say for certain what he's capable of anymore?
2. The offensive bar is low
The good news for Morneau (and the White Sox) is he doesn't have to do much to be an upgrade. The White Sox have been using Avisail Garcia as their primary DH, and he enters the second half with a 74 OPS+. Even with the aforementioned caveats, it's worth noting Morneau has posted an OPS+ under 95 just once over the past decade -- and that came during an injury-ravaged 2011 season.
3. Fulmer is the White Sox' top prospect
Last year's eighth-overall pick, Fulmer was drafted from Vanderbilt based on the promise of his fastball-curveball combination. He's spent the season in the Double-A rotation, where he's struggled with his command -- to the extent that he's walked more than five batters per nine innings. Still, he entered the season ranked as the White Sox' second-best prospect for a reason, and with Tim Anderson in the majors, he was the top talent the White Sox farm could offer.
4. Fulmer's promotion is probably about now and later
With David Robertson, Nate Jones, Dan Jennings, and Zach Duke already in tow, it would be fair to write the White Sox had a top-10ish bullpen in place. If Fulmer pitches up to his relief potential -- a set-up man type -- then perhaps the White Sox will move closer to the top-five range. At minimum, Fulmer himself could benefit from some big-league experience and success. We've seen plenty of other pitchers take off after spending time in relief. There's no reason Fulmer can't be the next to do the same.
5. The White Sox are still in the playoff race
It's easy to overlook the White Sox, but they're just 4.5 games back in the Wild Card race (and seven back in the American League Central). If Morneau and Fulmer both do their parts, then who knows, maybe the White Sox' playoff aspirations will be rekindled.
