White Sox designate Keppinger for assignment


Chicago White Sox second baseman Jeff Keppinger. Joe Camporeale-USA TODAY Sports

The Chicago White Sox returned infielder Jeff Keppinger from his injury rehabilitation assignment with Class AA Birmingham, reinstated him from the 15-day disabled list and designated him for assignment, the team announced Wednesday.

Keppinger is in the second year of a three-year contract that pays him $12 million.

Keppinger, 34, has been on the disabled list since March 30 (retroactive to March 21) while continuing his recovery from right shoulder surgery performed on Sept. 26, 2013. He played in 11 games with Birmingham on his rehab assignment.

Keppinger batted .253 (107-for-423) with four home runs and 40 RBIs over 117 games in 2013, his first season with the White Sox after signing as a free agent on Dec. 10, 2012.

After batting a career-best .325 in 2012 with the Tampa Bay Rays, Keppinger signed with the White Sox to be their primary third baseman in 2013.

Keppinger is a career .282 hitter in 818 games in the major leagues.