Austin Slater

The 33-year-old southpaw racked up five strikeouts on the afternoon and didn't allow a base on balls. He served up a solo homer to Austin Slater and a two-run double to Miguel Vargas in the second inning and that was all of the run support that Sean Burke and company would require on Thursday. Kikuchi got 11 swings and misses on 87 pitches on the day -- five on his fastball -- while registering a CSW of 30 percent. He'll attempt to get in the win column when he squares off against the Cardinals in St. Louis on Wednesday.

Slater found himself batting fifth in the White Sox' lineup against opposing left-hander Yusei Kikuchi and he rewarded manager Will Venable's faith in him by crushing a 392-foot (105.1 mph EV) solo homer to lead off the second inning. He's not going to find himself in the lineup on a nightly basis, but Slater does have some fantasy utility when he can be deployed against left-handed pitching.

The 25-year-old Vargas was a top prospect for the Dodgers but struggled after he was traded to the White Sox last season. He began to recoup some of his past prospect value after hitting .341/.423/.523 in 52 plate appearances this spring with two home runs, five strikeouts, and seven walks. There won't be a ton of value in the White Sox lineup this season, but if Vargas is going to be the primary leadoff hitter, then he could carve out some fantasy value hitting in front of Luis Robert Jr. and Andrew Vaughn. The White Sox's full lineup is: Miguel Vargas 3B, Luis Robert CF, Andrew Benintendi DH, Andrew Vaughn 1B, Austin Slater RF, Lenyn Sosa 2B, Korey Lee C, Jacob Amaya SS, Michael A Taylor LF.

At one point, Fletcher was through to be a contender to start in the outfield for the White Sox, but he lost out to veterans like Travis Jankowski and Austin Slater.

Slater has been out since March 3rd with an oblique injury, so the 32-year-old only wound up missing two weeks. This would seem to be a good sign that Slater will be ready for Opening Day, and the White Sox need him with Andrew Benintendi (hand) beginning the year on the IL. Slater will push Travis Jankowski and Michael A. Taylor for the final starting spot alongside Luis Robert Jr. and Mike Tauchman.