Tim Elko’s professional journey began in 2022, when the Chicago White Sox selected the first baseman in the 10th round of the draft out of Mississippi.
Elko reportedly is set to make his major league debut on Saturday when the White Sox continue a three-game series against the visiting Miami Marlins.
Elko will be recalled from Triple-A Charlotte, where he was batting .348 with 10 home runs in 31 games. He likely will share playing time at first base with Andrew Vaughn, who hit a solo homer in Chicago’s 6-2 win over Miami on Friday.
The White Sox snapped a four-game losing streak with the victory, while Miami lost for the 10th time in its last 12 games.
Chicago is hoping the 26-year-old Elko can provide a spark. Known among his teammates as “the Captain,” Elko has a .293 batting average with 61 homers in 325 minor-league games.
“He’s obviously been swinging very well and we’re excited to add him to the lineup,” White Sox manager Will Venable said.
Saturday’s pitching matchup features a pair of right-handers as Miami’s Edward Cabrera (0-1, 6.29 ERA) takes on Chicago’s Shane Smith (1-2, 2.41).
Cabrera, 27, received a no-decision after giving up two runs over a season-high-tying 5 2/3 innings against the Athletics last Sunday.
“This was a really good version of Eddie,” Miami manager Clayton McCullough said. “He was in control. He really spun the ball well, and he kept the count in his favor for the most part. That allowed him to use all his weapons. It was a start he can certainly build upon.”
Cabrera is set to make his second career start against the White Sox. He gave up two runs over 3 2/3 innings in a no-decision versus Chicago on July 7, 2024.
The Marlins have yet to face Smith, who yielded two runs over five-plus innings in a 3-0 loss to the Kansas City Royals last Monday.
The 25-year-old rookie has pitched at least five innings and allowed two earned runs or fewer in six of his first seven career starts.
“He finds different ways to attack hitters and I think you see it pretty quickly on a day where it’s the changeup that he really likes and feels good about — or the slider, or when he mixes in the curveball,” Venable said. “Just his adaptability from start to start, from inning to inning, I think is impressive for such a young guy.”
Miami is looking to bounce back after going 1-for-15 with runners in scoring position and leaving 11 runners on base in Friday’s loss.
Catcher Liam Hicks hit a leadoff shot in the seventh inning for his third homer this season and second in as many games.
The Marlins’ most consistent hitter has been left fielder Kyle Stowers, who is hitting .295 with six homers and a team-high 25 RBIs in 35 games.
“He’s just someone that is always looking for ways in which I need to improve and ways I need to continue to adjust, and that’s a sign of a good young player that is open to understanding that you’re always going to have to adapt at some point,” McCullough said.
–Field Level Media
