Kyle Williams

1 week ago | chicago.suntimes.com | Kyle Williams

NEW YORK — White Sox first baseman Miguel Vargas has transformed from one of the team’s worst hitters to arguably its best. Vargas batted .139/.236/.203 with five doubles over his first 22 games. Over that span, he ranked last in the American League in slugging percentage, average and sixth-lowest in on-base percentage. A mechanical fix has allowed Vargas to stay on time at the plate against fastballs, engineering a complete turnaround at the plate.

1 week ago | chicago.suntimes.com | Kyle Williams

NEW YORK — White Sox right fielder Mike Tauchman was searching for the right words to describe the Sox’ approach at the plate Wednesday. After a beat, he found the two words: Selective aggression. “We want to be aggressive; that’s how you do damage,” he said following the Sox’ 9-4 win over the Mets at Citi Field.

1 week ago | chicago.suntimes.com | Kyle Williams

NEW YORK — The lyrics to rock band Limp Bizkit’s hit song ‘‘Rollin’,’’ which was played throughout Citi Field in the first inning Tuesday, applied to the Mets as they strung together productive at-bats against White Sox starter Jonathan Cannon. After being staked to a 2-0 lead by a home run from Miguel Vargas, Cannon — returning to the mound after being scratched Saturday with tightness in his lower back — struck out Francisco Lindor to start his outing before allowing a single to Brandon Nimmo.

1 week ago | chicago.suntimes.com | Kyle Williams

Before Tuesday’s game against the Mets, the White Sox traded catcher Matt Thaiss to the Rays for outfielder Dru Baker. Baker has been on the seven-day injured list since April 22 with a left adductor strain. Baker was hitting .245/.344/.302 before his injury at Triple-A Durham. Thaiss was traded in part because of the team’s surplus of catching depth. In a corresponding move, Korey Lee was reinstated from the 10-day injured list to take Thaiss’ spot.

1 week ago | chicago.suntimes.com | Kyle Williams

NEW YORK — White Sox right-hander Adrian Houser has had a gauntlet to start his Sox tenure. He debuted on short notice against the Mariners, who entered Monday 10th in runs scored per game (4.58). On Monday, he faced the Mets, the team that demoted him from the rotation to the bullpen and designated him for assignment last July. But through two starts, Houser has yet to allow a run.