CHICAGO – Prior to today’s split doubleheader vs. Minnesota, the Chicago White Sox purchased the contract of left-handed pitcher Charlie Leesman from Class AAA Charlotte and recalled outfielder Blake Tekotte from Charlotte. Leesman is scheduled to make his major-league debut tonight in game two (7:10 p.m. CT).
Per the collective bargaining agreement, teams are allowed to carry a 26th active player for certain doubleheaders.
Leesman, 26, is 3-1 with a 3.47 ERA (28 ER/72.2 IP) and 64 strikeouts over 13 starts (seven quality) with Charlotte this season. He has gone 2-0 with a 3.22 ERA (11 ER/30.2 IP) and 19 strikeouts in his last five starts (four quality). Leesman began the season on the disabled list while recovering from ACL surgery in 2012.
The 6-foot-4, 210-pound Leesman entered the season rated by Baseball America as the No. 11 Prospect and possessing the Best Changeup in the White Sox organization.
Leesman, a 2012 International League midseason All-Star, ranked second in the IL in ERA (2.47) and was tied for second in wins (12) last season.
The Cincinnati, Ohio native has gone 52-29 with a 3.38 ERA (254 ER/675.2 IP), one complete game and 434 strikeouts in 124 games (122 starts) over six seasons in the White Sox minor-league system.
Leesman, who will wear uniform No. 61, originally was selected by the White Sox in the 11th round of the 2008 First-Year Player Draft.
Tekotte, 26, takes the roster spot of outfielder Casper Wells, who was claimed off waivers yesterday by Philadelphia.
Tekotte is 5-20 (.250) with three runs scored in 16 games over two stints with the White Sox this season (April 20-28 and July 5-30).
Source: © 2013 Chicago Wh