Chicago White Sox LF Austin Hays suffers hamstring strain in loss

Hays will join injured list as Sox outfield continues to be banged up early in season

Apr. 7, 2026 at 4:10am

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A fragmented, cubist-style painting depicting a baseball player in motion, with their body and the field of play broken down into sharp, angular geometric shapes in a palette of navy, green, and orange, conveying the dynamic energy and disruption caused by Hays' injury.The White Sox's injury-plagued outfield is further tested by Austin Hays' hamstring strain, exposing the team's depth issues early in the season.Chicago Today

Chicago White Sox left fielder Austin Hays suffered a right hamstring strain during Monday's 2-1 loss to the Baltimore Orioles. Hays will undergo further evaluation and is expected to be placed on the injured list, joining outfielders Brooks Baldwin and Everson Pereira who are also currently sidelined. The Sox have had a banged-up outfield to start the season.

Why it matters

The loss of Hays is a significant blow to the White Sox offense, as he was signed in the offseason to provide veteran leadership and production in the outfield. The Sox are already dealing with injuries to other key outfielders, putting further strain on the team's depth as they try to get their season on track.

The details

Hays exited Monday's game in the fourth inning after attempting to track down a fly ball and immediately feeling pain in his right hamstring. He was 7-for-32 (.219) with one home run and six RBIs in nine games so far this season. The Sox will have to rely more on younger outfielders like Everson Pereira and Chase Meidroth with Hays, Baldwin, and Pereira all currently on the injured list.

  • Hays suffered the hamstring injury in the fourth inning of Monday's game against the Orioles.
  • Outfielder Brooks Baldwin has been on the injured list since March 25 with a right elbow sprain.
  • The Sox placed outfielder Everson Pereira on the 10-day injured list, retroactive to Thursday, with a left ankle sprain.

The players

Austin Hays

Chicago White Sox left fielder who signed a one-year deal with the team in the offseason. Hays is a veteran outfielder who earned an All-Star selection in 2023 while playing for the Baltimore Orioles from 2017-2024.

Brooks Baldwin

Chicago White Sox outfielder who has been on the injured list since March 25 with a right elbow sprain.

Everson Pereira

Chicago White Sox outfielder who was placed on the 10-day injured list, retroactive to Thursday, with a left ankle sprain.

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What they’re saying

“He will go to the (injured list). Going to do some imagining on it (Tuesday) to see where we're at, have a little bit better of an idea of the timeline.”

— Will Venable, Manager, Chicago White Sox

“He's a guy who's been a performer in this league. He understands the nuance of being a major-league player, both on and off the field. What it means to prepare. What it means to go out there and compete. He's a guy that our younger players look to as a veteran, in the clubhouse and on the field. It's a tough one for the group, a tough one for (Hays). Put so much work into this. It's a real bummer.”

— Will Venable, Manager, Chicago White Sox

What’s next

The White Sox will undergo further imaging on Hays' hamstring injury on Tuesday to determine the severity and timeline for his return.

The takeaway

The White Sox are dealing with a rash of early-season injuries to their outfield, with the loss of veteran Austin Hays to a hamstring strain being the latest blow. The team will have to rely on younger, less experienced players to fill the void as they try to get their season back on track.