White Sox to release injury-ridden Lawrie

Brett Lawrie's time on the South Side of Chicago has come to an end.

The White Sox requested waivers on the infielder Friday for the purpose of granting his unconditional release.

Lawrie didn't appear in a game after July 21 last season due to injuries. He was originally diagnosed with a hamstring injury, but the pain progressed into his knee and hip. Lawrie eventually blamed the problems on the orthotics in his shoes.

"I was put into orthotics for the first time in 26 years, and it definitely threw me through a loop," Lawrie told Scott Merkin of MLB.com last month. "It was the worst time of my life to be honest with you."

Acquired in a 2015 trade with the Oakland Athletics for a pair of prospects, Lawrie hit .248/.310/.413 with 12 home runs, 22 doubles, and 109 strikeouts in 94 games with the White Sox last season.

Staying healthy has been a constant issue with Lawrie throughout his career. The 27-year-old has missed an average of 53 games a season over the last five years, and has yet to appear in a Cactus League game this spring.

Lawrie was set to earn $3.5 million this season, but the White Sox will only be on the hook for one-sixth of that salary given the timing of his release.

The White Sox have Tyler Saladino and Carlos Sanchez, who will compete for the second base job along with top prospect Yoan Moncada. It's likely Moncada begins the season in the minors, however.