White Sox call up first baseman Reed

OAKLAND -- Acting quickly to learn what they have in AJ Reed, the White Sox recalled the first baseman from Triple-A Charlotte on Friday, four days after claiming him off waivers from Houston.

Reed was immediately installed in the lineup for the series opener against Oakland as Chicago’s designated hitter.

Reed replaces outfielder Daniel Palka -- who was optioned to Charlotte last Sunday -- on the active roster.

White Sox manager Rick Renteria indicated that Reed will receive more opportunities as the DH and could start at first base when Jose Abreu needs a rest.

“I think he’s someone who the organization had targeted quite a bit,” Renteria said of Reed, who hit .153 with three homers in 48 games during sporadic activity for the Astros from 2016-18.

This season, the left-handed-batting Reed hit .224 with a .798 OPS for the Astros’ Round Rock Triple-A affiliate in 56 games. He owns a career slash line of .282/.374/.540 with 135 homers, 478 RBIs and 392 runs scored in six Minor League seasons.

Renteria noted that Reed gives the White Sox a legitimate backup first baseman. They had been teaching backup catcher Zack Collins the rudiments of playing first.

Worth noting

? Renteria sounded upbeat regarding Tim Anderson’s recovery from a high right ankle sprain, saying that the shortstop “continues to progress” while refraining from issuing a specific timetable for his return.