White Sox activate Tim Anderson, recall Carson Fulmer

Tim Anderson

Tim Anderson was back in the lineup Tuesday, batting seventh and playing shortstop as the White Sox opened a three-game series against the New York Mets.

Anderson suffered a high ankle sprain June 25 in Boston and missed 26 games, during which the Sox went 10-16.

He is hitting .317/.342/.491 with 11 home runs, 37 RBIs and 15 stolen bases in 70 games this season.

Over the past week, Anderson went 8 for 23 with a home run and four RBIs in five rehab games with Triple-A Charlotte.

In addition to activating Anderson from the injured list, the Sox also optioned outfielder Ryan Cordell to Charlotte and recalled pitcher Carson Fulmer.

Fulmer, who is 1-1 with a 6.32 ERA in 13 games with the Sox this season, takes the roster spot of Dylan Covey, who was optioned after a disastrous start against the Minnesota Twins on Sunday.

Anderson takes Cordell's roster spot.

I was thinking Anderson would simply take Covey's spot, and that Cordell would hang on until Saturday when the Sox next need a fifth starting pitcher. Instead, the Sox want an extra arm for this series against the Mets.

Not to mention, the July 31 trading deadline is Wednesday, and it just so happens the Sox player most likely to be sold off (Alex Colome) is a reliever, so perhaps the team wants Fulmer already in town in case that move happens.