Austin Slater DVOA, Advanced Stats, & Fantasy Rankings

The Chicago White Sox announced on Monday that they reinstated outfielder Austin Slater (knee) from the 10-day injured list and optioned infielder/outfielder Brooks Baldwin to Triple-A Charlotte in a corresponding move. Slater will make the start in left field and will hit seventh right away in Monday's series opener against the visiting Seattle Mariners and right-hander Luis Castillo. The 32-year-old veteran could play regularly in Chicago's outfield with both Andrew Benintendi (calf) and Mike Tauchman (hamstring) still on the IL, but eventually, he could be on the short side of a platoon in left field against left-handed pitching. Slater had played in only eight games this year before needing surgery to fix a torn meniscus in his right knee and had gone 5-for-20 with a homer and two doubles. He's worth a waiver-wire pickup in AL-only formats.

The Chicago White Sox announced that outfielder Austin Slater (knee) will start his minor-league rehab assignment at Triple-A Charlotte on Tuesday. Additionally, the team announced that infielder Nick Maton has been outrighted to Charlotte after being designated for assignment last week. Slater is working his way back from surgery to fix a torn meniscus in his right knee that has kept him out just under a month. The 32-year-old veteran played in just eight games for the Pale Hose before the injury and went 5-for-20 with a homer, two doubles, an RBI and two runs scored in 20 plate appearances. Barring a setback once he starts playing in games on the farm, Slater could be ready to rejoin the team's major-league roster by the end of May. Depending on the health of other outfielders Andrew Benintendi (calf) and Mike Tauchman (hamstring) when he returns, Slater could operate in a platoon role in Chicago's outfield.

The Chicago White Sox have placed outfielder Austin Slater (knee) on the 10-day injured list with a right knee meniscus tear. In a corresponding move, the White Sox promoted outfielder Greg Jones from Triple-A. Slater was unable to play on Friday due to this injury. However, given the severity of the injury, fantasy managers should expect Slater to miss at least the next few months. Through the early part of the campaign, the 32-year-old has posted a .250/.250/.500 slash line. Last season, Slater spent time with the San Francisco Giants, Cincinnati Reds, and Baltimore Orioles. Across 84 total games, Slater posted a .209/.321/.266 slash line. While Slater remains sidelined, Brooks Baldwin, Joshua Palacio, and Greg Jones will share time in right field.

Chicago White Sox outfielder Austin Slater (oblique) was scratched from Monday's starting lineup due to a left oblique strain. Fantasy managers should expect the 32-year-old to be sidelined for a few games. The team has not provided an update regarding the severity of the strain. Earlier in the offseason, the White Sox signed Slater to a one-year $1.75 million. Last season, Slater spent time with the Giants, Reds, and Orioles. Across 84 MLB contests, he held a .209/.321/.266 slash line with two home runs and three stolen bases. He showed an elite eye at the plate as he drew walks at a 12.3 percent rate but only generated a modest .232 xBA. When healthy, Slater will likely operate in a platoon role but could be in line to see more opportunities at the start of the season with Andrew Benintendi (hand) sidelined with a hand fracture.

Free-agent veteran outfielder Austin Slater agreed to an undisclosed major-league deal with the Chicago White Sox on Monday. It's not the greatest landing spot for Slater in terms of fantasy purposes, but he should at least see a short-side platoon in Chicago against left-handed pitchers in 2025 on what will likely be a one-year deal. The 31-year-old right-handed-hitting outfielder has traditionally handled lefty pitchers well in his career, although he struggled against them in 2024 with the San Francisco Giants, Cincinnati Reds and Baltimore Orioles, slashing .188/.310/.231 against them with one of his two home runs on the year and 11 RBI in 142 plate appearances. Slater will be hoping to bounce back offensively for the Pale Hose next season. With a low ceiling and low floor, Slater should only be considered in deep mixed and AL-only leagues in 2025.