White Sox Add Carson Fulmer, Justin Morneau To Mix

(CBS) The White Sox have called up right-hander Carson Fulmer, their top prospect and 2015 first-round draft pick, and activated first baseman Justin Morneau from his injury rehab ahead of Friday's contest at the Los Angeles Angels, they announced.

In a corresponding move, Chicago optioned outfielder Jason Coats to Triple-A Charlotte. A day prior, the White Sox had outrighted right-hander Scott Carroll to Triple-A Charlotte, clearing room on the 40-man roster for Fulmer.

The 22-year-old Fulmer is expected to join Chicago's bullpen, though he certainly projects as a starter down the line. Fulmer is 4-9 with a 4.76 ERA and 1.53 WHIP in 17 starts at Double-A Birmingham this season. He's been better of late, allowing two earned runs across his last 19 innings.

Fulmer had a 1.96 ERA in 23 innings across two minor league levels in 2015 after he was selected eighth overall in the draft that year.

The 35-year-old Morneau was signed on June 9 and since then had been continuing rehab on his injured left elbow. The White Sox envision using him as their designated hitter, a spot they're received poor production from. Morneau hit .310 with three homers and 15 RBIs in 49 games with the Rockies in an injury-plagued 2015 season. He's a career .282 hitter.

Coats had hit .091 (2-for-22) in limited action across 11 games for the White Sox this season, with no homers and no RBIs.

The White Sox open the second half of the season seven games back of the Indians in the AL Central and 4.5 games back of the Blue Jays for the second wild-card spot.

Barstool Sports first reported the news of Fulmer's impending call-up.