MINNEAPOLIS — Bobby Dalbec called it a “full-circle” moment.
After spending parts of the last five seasons with the Boston Red Sox, the infielder’s first game with the Chicago White Sox on Monday came against the Red Sox at Fenway Park.
“I thought about this kind of situation happening, but maybe not an 11 a.m. game,” Dalbec said, referring to the time of the first pitch on Patriots’ Day.
The White Sox selected Dalbec’s contract from Triple-A Charlotte on Monday when infielder Chase Meidroth went on the 10-day injured list with right thumb inflammation.
“Grateful for the White Sox giving me this opportunity and excited to play for them and play for (manager) Will (Venable),” Dalbec said. “Great guys in the clubhouse, excited to be back for sure.”
Dalbec received word he would be joining the White Sox in Boston around 5 p.m. Sunday.
“Then supposed to be a 7:15 (p.m.) flight that got delayed until like 9:30, so I got in a little late,” Dalbec said.
After the busy day of travel and quick turnaround for Monday’s early game, Dalbec had the chance to settle in a little more on Tuesday. He went 1-for-2 with a walk for the Sox in the series opener against the Minnesota Twins at Target Field.
Chicago White Sox designated hitter Bobby Dalbec runs between second and first base before being tagged out during a Cactus League game at Sloan Park on Saturday Feb. 22, 2025, in Mesa, Arizona. (Armando L. Sanchez/Chicago Tribune)
“I’m just trying to get my work in and be ready for whatever they need me to do,” Dalbec told the Tribune before Wednesday’s game against the Twins.
Dalbec had another hit after entering as a pinch hitter in the fifth inning of Wednesday’s 6-3 loss to the Twins in front of 12,407.
Dalbec singled and later scored during a three-run fifth as the Sox tied the score at 3.
Trevor Larnach’s solo home run in the sixth against reliever Jordan Leasure put the Twins back ahead. Byron Buxton added a two-run home run in the seventh against Cam Booser. The Sox (5-19) have lost nine of 10 and 17 of 20.
Bryse Wilson allowed one run on five hits with two strikeouts and three walks in 2 2/3 innings in his first start of the season.
“Physically, I felt really, really good,” Wilson said. “Probably the best I’ve felt all season actually, which was good. Saw the increase in velo a little bit, which is nice to see. But just got to be more aggressive.”
Wilson received the starting assignment as a result of Martín Pérez heading to the injured list (left flexor strain) over the weekend.
The Sox had targeted around 60 pitches for Wilson. He threw 55. Six relievers followed.
Chicago White Sox starting pitcher Bryse Wilson delivers during the first inning of a baseball game against the Minnesota Twins on Wednesday, April 23, 2025, in Minneapolis. (AP Photo/Abbie Parr)
“We had to figure it out,” Venable said. “We knew we were going to have to cover some innings and push some of those guys — Leasure and Cam — up there to give us a chance to keep it close and in the ballgame there. We did the best we could without putting us in danger of not having coverage tomorrow at the same time.”
Miguel Vargas led the offense with two hits. Dalbec went 1-for-3.
Dalbec had a .326/.354/.696 slash line with three doubles, one triple, four home runs and 13 RBIs in 12 games with Charlotte prior to the call-up.
“He’s been swinging the bat really well in Triple-A,” Venable said. “Hopefully he can provide a spark for us offensively. He’s got power to all fields and has improved his contact rate on pitches in the zone. Also like the defense, so just excited to see him do his thing.”
Dalbec said one word describes what was working for him with the Knights: “timing.”
The timing worked out for his first opportunity with the White Sox to come against the Red Sox.
Dalbec, 29, had a .222/.290/.425 career slash line with 37 doubles, 47 home runs and 142 RBIs in 331 games with the Red Sox, who selected him in the fourth round of the 2016 draft.
“It was cool, just getting in the box there (as a pinch-hitter on Monday),” Dalbec said. “Weird being on the visiting side, but still know all the guys, the clubhouse staff and got to see some good friends and people I call family. It was a great experience, for sure.”
Before Monday’s game in Boston, Dalbec discussed how his game has evolved.
“My internal thoughts are more clear, not as erratic for sure,” he said. “It’s just about focusing on what’s important and staying on it. Have a good checklist every day of why did things go wrong. It’s typically not my swing. Swing’s never going to look good if you’re late, you know? Just trying to work on that and being honest with myself through struggles and trying to bridge the gaps of my ups and downs.
“I was kind of trying to prove my power all the time. That’s the one thing I don’t need to prove is that I have power. So I’m just trying to be a good hitter and let my abilities take over.”
Dalbec started at third base on Tuesday. He’s played third, first, left field and right with Charlotte. On Wednesday, he took some grounders before the game at second base and shortstop.
He remained in the game at shortstop after hitting for Jacob Amaya on Wednesday. It was his fifth career MLB game at shortstop.
“That was a game plan coming in where we were going to use a pinch hitter if it was the right spot,” Venable said. “Get Jacob’s defense up front and also expose Bobby to the position. So it was a good opportunity to do that. I wish he had gotten some action over there but I think that could be part of the game plan moving forward.”
Dalbec said the connection with Venable, which stretches to the skipper’s time as a bench coach with Boston, was one of the things that stood out when he came to terms on a minor-league deal with the White Sox organization in the offseason.
“There’s comfortability there and he’s a really good communicator,” Dalbec said. “But, got to perform to earn opportunities. And I’m just trying to capitalize on whatever opportunities I can to help the team win.”
Originally Published: April 23, 2025 at 7:39 PM CDT