Palka started in right field and went 1-for-2 with a two-run home run in Monday's game against the Diamondbacks.

EDGE Analysis

The White Sox have a few moving pieces before they settle on a starting outfield. John Jay (hip/back) was out of the lineup, giving Palka a starting opportunity and a chance to hit his first home run of the spring. Management is expected to set its Opening Day roster after Tuesday's exhibition game. In addition to Jay's injury, the White Sox will decide if Eloy Jimenez opens in Chicago and on a starter in center field (Leury Garcia or Adam Engel). If the Jay injury lingers or manager Rick Renteria can't trust him to be an everyday player, then Palka has a path to playing time.

Palka struck out three times Friday and is 3-for-28 with no home runs and 13 strikeouts this spring.

EDGE Analysis

Palka, who led the White Sox in home runs in 2018, is slated to start in left field but will eventually be replaced by prospect Eloy Jimenez. The White Sox put up with his high strikeout rate (34.1 K%) last year because the power was a threat in the middle of the lineup; however, there is no landing spot for him after Jimenez arrives. Jose Abreu and Yonder Alonso are expected to share first base and designated hitter, leaving Palka with limited avenues to at-bats.

Palka (hamstring) is batting fifth and starting in left field in Friday's spring game against the Angels, Daryl Van Schouwen of the Chicago Sun-Times reports.

EDGE Analysis

Palka was an available option off the bench Thursday so his return to the starting lineup Friday isn't much of a surprise. The minor hamstring issue ended up costing the 27-year-old nearly two weeks of spring games, but there is still plenty of time before the regular season for Palka to get up to speed with him back in the field Friday.

Palka (hamstring) is listed as an available option off the bench for Thursday's Cactus League game against the Brewers, Daryl Van Schouwen of the Chicago Sun-Times reports.

EDGE Analysis

Palka indicated earlier this week that he feels that he has made a full recovery from the tight hamstring that first surfaced Feb. 24 and said that he planned on returning to the lineup this weekend. His inclusion among the White Sox's available bench bats backs up Palka's optimism, but he'll need to make a start in the outfield before ditching the injury designation.

Palka (hamstring) said Tuesday that he's "symptom free," Daryl Van Schouwen of the Chicago Sun-Times reports.

EDGE Analysis

Palka has been dealing with a hamstring injury for a little more than a week now, but the outfielder believes he's in the clear after completing a series of baseball activities -- including running the bases and hitting in simulated games -- with no issues. Assuming he checks out OK in the coming days, Palka could rejoin the lineup as early as Friday against the Angels.

Palka (hamstring) isn't expected to return for at least another 4-to-6 days, Daryl Van Schouwen of the Chicago Sun-Times reports.

EDGE Analysis

Palka had the hamstring issue crop up last Sunday and initially described it as a cramp, but it looks as though the injury will end up costing him almost two weeks of spring training. If all goes well the 27-year-old may be ready to see game action Friday against the Angels.

Palka (hamstring) is out of the lineup for Sunday's spring game against the Cubs, Daryl Van Schouwen of the Chicago Sun-Times reports.

EDGE Analysis

Palka exited a game March 24 with the tight left hamstring and has yet to return to action. There's no set timeline for his return as top prospect Eloy Jimenez starts in left field for the White Sox.

Palka (hamstring) remains sidelined Saturday against the Rockies.

EDGE Analysis

He left a game Feb. 24 with a tight left hamstring, and has not yet returned to game action. Prospect Luis Gonzalez will start in left field in his place.

Palka (hamstring) is not in the lineup for Friday's spring game against the Rangers.

EDGE Analysis

Palka has been out of action all week after exiting last Sunday's game against the Padres with a tight left hamstring. The injury is believed to be minor, but the 27-year-old also said Monday he only expected to miss one or two games though he has now missed five games. There has been no mention of Palka suffering a setback, so for now he should continue to be considered day-to-day.

Palka remains a few more days away from returning from hamstring tightness, James Fegan of The Athletic reports.

EDGE Analysis

Palka's absence has already hit three games after initially being reported as a one-to-two game issue. It sounds as though his time off is likely to stretch to at least five or six games, though he hasn't reportedly suffered any major setback and will still have plenty of time to build up for Opening Day.