White Sox trade Thaiss to Rays for minor-leaguer

The Chicago White Sox traded catcher Matt Thaiss to the Tampa Bay Rays for minor-league outfielder Dru Baker, the teams announced Tuesday.

Thaiss was traded after the White Sox reinstated fellow catcher Korey Lee from the injured list.

The 30-year-old Thaiss appeared in 35 games for Chicago this season, authoring a .212/.382/.294 slash line with eight RBIs and 23 walks in 110 plate appearances.

The former first-round draft choice of the Los Angeles Angels also ranks in the 73rd percentile in blocks above average, according to Baseball Savant.

Tampa Bay transferred outfielder Jonny DeLuca to the 60-day IL to make room on the active roster for Thaiss. Catcher Ben Rortvedt was also designated for assignment.

Baker was selected by the Rays in the fourth round of the 2021 draft. The 25-year-old owns a .219/.351/.266 slash line with three RBIs in 22 minor-league games this season.