White Sox top prospect Braden Montgomery likely to miss rest of season

Braden Montgomery, the White Sox’ top prospect, suffered a small fracture in his right foot when he was hit by pitch Saturday in Chattanooga, Tennessee, and likely will miss the rest of the season for Double-A Birmingham.

The Sox said Montgomery still is expected to play in the Arizona Fall League when he’s healed. Montgomery suffered a broken right ankle in 2024 when he was playing for Texas A&M in their Super Regional series against Oregon.

Montgomery, whom the Sox acquired from the Red Sox in the Garrett Crochet trade, has had a stellar season. His success at Single-A Kannapolis led to a promotion to Birmingham, where he continued to impress, batting .272/.464/.416 in 34 games. Montgomery said he wanted to play in the AFL to prepare for spring training next season.

‘‘[I] just want to get some more experience and continue to build out whatever approach I believe could help prepare me for whatever is next for me going into next season,’’ he said. ‘‘I just want to continue to keep moving the needle overall, and I get to see some more really good competition as I’m [moving] up these levels.’’

Draft picks visit Rate Field

In addition to playing shortstop, Colson Montgomery has served as the Sox’ unofficial host.

He reached out to draft picks Billy Carlson (No. 10) and Jaden Fauske (No. 44) when they were drafted. Carlson said Montgomery told him, ‘‘I’m here when you need me,’’ which was reassuring for him. Montgomery, still a rookie, has taken it upon himself to be a leader for the young players in the minors.

‘‘Talking to Colson, he said he remembered being in our shoes when he was doing this tour after he was drafted,’’ Fauske said. ‘‘Hopefully, in a couple of years, we’re in the same spot, talking to the new guys who just got drafted.’’

The two prospects sported that wide-eyed optimism as they took in what they and the Sox hope is their future home. They got a tour of the locker room, met the team and visited the weight room. Fauske and Carlson are playing in the bridge league, which serves as extended spring training for minor-league players in Arizona.

‘‘It was great to get our feet wet, kind of get adjusted to the pitching,’’ Fauske said.

Carlson said it was refreshing to face live pitching, which he hadn’t done since the high school season ended. The bridge league was helpful for Carlson and Fauske in terms of learning the Sox’ values.

Vargas nearing return

Corner infielder Miguel Vargas (sprained left hand) participated in baseball activities before the game Tuesday against the Rays.

Vargas has been on the 10-day injured list since Aug. 29 after being hit by a pitch against the Yankees. Manager Will Venable said he doesn’t think Vargas will need a rehab assignment.

‘‘We’re going to see how long this takes these next couple of days,’’ Venable said. ‘‘But we’re comfortable with him working off the Trajekt [pitching robot]. He just has to be ready, but we think we can get him there without going on a rehab assignment.’’