After a White Sox home run, hitting coach Derek Shomon yells — among other things — ‘‘Booked him!’’
What does that mean?
‘‘Over the years, when we went over pitchers that we were facing, somebody in the advance meeting would be like, ‘Oh, yeah, I got him; he’s in the book,’ ’’ said Shomon, who is in his fourth season as a big-league coach. ‘‘So I started yelling that a few years ago.’’
He yelled it a lot on the Sox’ trip last week through hitter-friendly Sacramento and Phoenix, during which they homered 16 times in six games, including Sam Antonacci’s inside-the-park round-tripper. (That also merited a ‘‘Book him!’’ even though it didn’t clear the fence.)
Back home in a cooler climate, however, the Sox have gone cold, hitting one homer in three games. The weather eventually will get warmer at home, and maybe then the Sox can recapture their power stroke. Until then, they’ll have to make do with what they have.
And what they have might get a needed jolt. The Sox called up outfielder Austin Hays from Triple-A Charlotte on Monday, ending his rehab from a strained right hamstring. The move was made necessary by a shoulder injury to Tanner Murray that will sideline him for four to six months.
Hays, whom the Sox signed to a one-year, $6 million contract in February, has some pop in his bat. He has hit at least 15 homers in four of his last five seasons, and he had one in nine games with the Sox before coming up lame while running down a ball in left field April 6. Last season with the Reds, he slashed .266/.315/.453.
But considering the Sox had to call up Hays sooner than they anticipated, he’ll need some time to reacclimate.
‘‘We can’t just jump right into playing every day out there for nine innings,’’ manager Will Venable said. ‘‘Probably have his first start against [Angels left-hander Yusei] Kikuchi in Game 3 [of the series] and use him off the bench [in the first] two and make sure that he’s building volume pregame to make sure he’s in a good spot.
‘‘It’s gonna be great. [He’s] one of our experienced guys . . . that has been through every situation out there that our guys lean on for advice. Brings a ton of positive energy to our group. And, obviously, with the things he can do on the field, we’re excited to have him back.’’
Hays’ return will reshuffle an outfield that desperately needs a power boost. Sox outfielders entered Monday in a five-way tie for 19th in the majors with seven homers. The position group also ranked 29th in OPS at .604.
For the rain-delayed game against the Angels at Rate Field, Venable had the left-handed-hitting Antonacci in the lineup against right-hander Jack Kochanowicz. But Venable said Antonacci could play second base if Chase Meidroth needs a day off, opening left field for Hays against right-handers. Though all nine of Hays’ starts have been in left, he also can play right.
‘‘Similar to how we were doing it before, gotta mix and match and make sure we’re being mindful of guys’ health and playing time,’’ Venable said, ‘‘while at the same time putting the guys out there that give us the best chance to win.’’
Hays has a career OPS of .816 against lefties (.716 against righties), which drew the Sox to him. But he also has a history of injuries. Hays played in 103 games last season and in 85 in 2024 with the Orioles and Phillies. In the three previous seasons, all with the Orioles, he played in no fewer than 131 games.