The White Sox made two internal additions Friday when they called up reliever Carson Fulmer and activated designated-hitter Justin Morneau from the disabled list, but general manager Rick Hahn said he also hopes to be aggressive in trade talks over the next couple of weeks leading up to Aug. 1 deadline.
"We're going to try to put ourselves in the best position to win now, and over the next couple of weeks leading up to the deadline, we'll look for opportunities to get better now and for the future," Hahn said.
Hahn said it's a difficult market for buyers, one reason why they snagged right-hander James Shields in a trade with the Padres in early June and added Morneau while he still was working his way back from offseason elbow surgery.
Now the Sox must weigh the opportunity to improve against sacrificing too much of their future, especially considering they have a key group of players under control beyond this season.
"It has been a balance … trying to contend while building up a critical mass of prospects and a sustainable core," Hahn said.
The Sox may pursue outfield help.
Hahn said the club still is waiting for center fielder Austin Jackson to have his four-week MRI to track his progress from June surgery to repair a torn meniscus in his left knee. Hahn expects the test to be done soon, but the Sox won't know until then how much longer he might be out.
"Any of these guys, we wait until they're on a rehab assignment before we start penciling them in for our future plans," Hahn said.
Injury report: Sox closer David Robertson was available Friday after sitting out the weekend before the All-Star break with a leg strain.
Alex Avila, on the 15-day disabled list with a strained right hamstring, felt "pretty good" while running and hitting Friday, Sox manager Robin Ventura said.
Sox pitcher Carlos Rodon, out with a sprained left wrist, will play catch Saturday. Hahn said it's possible he could need a rehab start before returning to the rotation.
The Sox aren't declaring third-base prospect Matt Davidson's broken right foot a season-ending injury yet, but Hahn said it could be September before he can return.
Rotation update: Sox left-handers Chris Sale and Jose Quintana will make their first starts of the second half on Monday and Tuesday, respectively, in Seattle. And the Sox haven't announced a replacement for Rodon in Sunday's series finale against the Angels.