Chicago White Sox outfielder Daniel Palka recorded his first hit of the season on Wednesday and then was demoted shortly after the conclusion of a 4-3, 10-inning loss to the Kansas City Royals.
Palka, who is batting .029 with 15 strikeouts in 35 at-bats over 13 games, was optioned to Triple-A Charlotte. The White Sox said they will make a corresponding move on Thursday.
Palka ended his slide of 32 hitless at-bats this season when he hit a soft pinch-hit single to left field off Kansas City right-hander Ian Kennedy in the seventh inning.
His struggles continued later in the contest as he grounded into an inning-ending double play with the bases loaded and the scored tied at 3 in the eighth. He later grounded out to end the game in the 10th.
Palka entered the contest as a pinch hitter for infielder Yoan Moncada, who was hit in the helmet while stealing second in the fifth inning.
The White Sox said Moncada was examined and tested negative for a concussion.
One possible call-up option is veteran shortstop Alcides Escobar, who is batting .359 with a homer and eight RBIs in 10 games at Charlotte. The 32-year-old Escobar has a .258 career average with 41 homers, 442 RBIs and 174 steals over 11 big league seasons with the Milwaukee Brewers (2008-10) and Kansas City Royals (2011-18).
Palka batted .240 with 27 homers and 67 RBIs in 124 games last season as a rookie.