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SAN DIEGO, CALIFORNIA - MAY 01: Austin Hays #21 of the Chicago White Sox at bat during a game against the San Diego Padres at Petco Park on May 01, 2026 in San Diego, California. (Photo by Sean M. Haffey/Getty Images)
The Chicago White Sox are currently taking on the Cleveland Guardians in a crucial AL Central weekend series, which has first-place implications.
Much like the rest of MLB, the White Sox are doing a lot of roster shuffling post-All-Star break.
One move Chicago made a few days ago was booting All-Star outfielder Austin Hays from the roster.
On Friday, the White Sox skipped the DFA limbo process and went ahead and released Hays from their organization.
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GettySAN DIEGO, CALIFORNIA – MAY 01: Austin Hays #21 of the Chicago White Sox at bat during a game against the San Diego Padres at Petco Park on May 01, 2026 in San Diego, California. (Photo by Sean M. Haffey/Getty Images)
As reflected on his MLB.com transactions tracker, Austin Hays has been released by the White Sox.
NBCSports.com’s River McCown wrote (on 8/7):
“Hays will shop his right-handed platoon bat services around the league. The 31-year-old has spent most of the year on the injured list with ankle and calf injuries. It seems like there’s always a market for this sort of player with how rare lefty-mashing outfielders are these days, so he’ll likely turn up elsewhere soon.”
Hays appeared in just 12 games for the White Sox. He hit .233 with one home run, 71 RBI, and an OPS+ of 61. Injuries, as McCown mentions, have been an issue. Austin Hays played in 103 games last season with the Reds and posted an OPS+ of 108, which is above league average.
MLBTR.com’s Steve Adams wrote (about Austin Hays):
“A former third-round pick by the Orioles and well-regarded prospect in Baltimore’s system, Hays has at times looked the part of an everyday outfielder. Frequent injuries have derailed a promising start to his career, however, and he’s now settled into a mercenary role as a short-side platoon outfielder. The Sox are his fourth team in the past three seasons, and while he’s unlikely to be claimed on waivers because of that salary — he still has about $1.7MM yet to be paid out — there’s a decent chance Hays will push that number to five once he clears waivers.”
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GettyMIAMI, FLORIDA – MARCH 30: Austin Hays #21 of the Chicago White Sox watches his three-run home run ball in the third inning against the Miami Marlins at loanDepot park on March 30, 2026 in Miami, Florida. (Photo by Megan Briggs/Getty Images)
Austin Hays, 31, has played in parts of nine MLB seasons. He was an All-Star in 2023 with the Baltimore Orioles, where he spent the first seven years of his career.
Over 2451 career at-bats, Hays carries a batting average of .262 with 84 home runs, 319 RBI, and an OPS+ of 106.
It may not be this season, but Hays will definitely land another job soon. The injuries might be concerning for another squad to take a chance with a month+ left in the year, but he’s been clearly good enough in his career and has proven he can be a productive hitter.
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TJ French covers the MLB for Heavy. TJ is a graduate of the University of Georgia. He has 2+ years of writing experience. Follow TJ French on X: @tj_french5 More about TJ French
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