Former MVP Morneau to Join Barons Monday

BIRMINGHAM, AL -- The Chicago White Sox have announced that four-time MLB All-Star and 2006 American League Most Valuable Player Justin Morneau will continue his rehab assignment with the Birmingham Barons.

The veteran slugger has hit .154 (2-13) with a run and a triple in five games with the Charlotte Knights this week. He will travel Sunday and be added to the roster Monday before the Barons take on the Jacksonville Suns at 7:05 p.m.

Morneau, 35, is a career .282 (1,550-5,496) hitter with 335 doubles, 241 home runs, 960 RBIs, and 756 runs scored in 1,487 games over 13 major-league seasons with Minnesota (2003-13), Pittsburgh (2013), and Colorado (2014-15). From 2005-15, he ranked seventh in the majors among left-handed hitters in doubles (314) and RBI (886) and 13th with 218 homers.

The White Sox and Morneau agreed on a one-year, $1-million contract, plus incentives, June 9. The veteran infielder was placed on Chicago's 15-day disabled list to continue his recovery from offseason surgery to repair the primary flexor in his left elbow.

Morneau becomes the first White Sox' player assigned to Birmingham since Jeff Keppinger donned a Barons uniform during the 2014 season. Gordon Beckham also appeared in 12 games during the 2014 Southern League season for Birmingham, and Paul Konerko previously played three games for the Barons during the 2013 campaign. Both John Danks and Jake Peavy also appeared on the Barons roster during Birmingham's 2013 Championship season at Regions Field.

A native of New Westminster, British Columbia, Morneau was named AL MVP in 2006 after hitting .321 (190-592) with 34 home runs and 130 RBI to lead Minnesota to the AL Central division title. He was named to the AL All-Star Team four straight years from 2007-10 and won the Home Run Derby in 2008 in the final season at old Yankee Stadium.

About the Birmingham Barons

The Birmingham Barons return to Regions Field Saturday evening for the first of five games against the Jacksonville Suns at 6:30 p.m. For further information about the Barons and the 2016 season at Regions Field, please call (205) 988-3200, visit www.barons.com, www.facebook.com/birminghambarons, @bhambarons on Twitter