Andrew Benintendi powers White Sox surge as veteran reaches 10 years of service time
The Chicago White Sox outfielder has found his power stroke after the All-Star break, capping a comeback from an injury-riddled 2025 and a decade in the majors.
Andrew Benintendi is an American outfielder for the Chicago White Sox who reached 10 years of major-league service time in July 2026. He previously played for the Boston Red Sox, Kansas City Royals and New York Yankees, and hit his 12th home run of the 2026 season in early August.
Andrew Benintendi homered in the Chicago White Sox's 9-1 win over the Tampa Bay Rays on a Sunday in early August 2026, according to reports, continuing a productive stretch for the veteran left fielder. Everson Pereira and Miguel Vargas also went deep in the game, and Anthony Kay pitched 6 1/3 scoreless innings. Benintendi, an American outfielder, has played in the majors for the Boston Red Sox, Kansas City Royals and New York Yankees before joining Chicago. Reports say he reached 10 years of major-league service time in July 2026, a milestone that carries weight for both player and club. White Sox manager Will Venable said Benintendi's veteran presence means "a lot" to the team. The timing matters. According to reports, Benintendi's home run off Griffin Jax on August 2 was his 12th of the season and his second in three starts, with 11 runs driven in since the All-Star break. After an injury-disrupted 2025, the veteran's bat has become central to a White Sox side finding its footing.
Benintendi's bat heats up after the All-Star break
Andrew Benintendi has been swinging one of the hottest bats in the Chicago White Sox lineup since the All-Star break. According to reports, the left fielder hit his 12th home run of the season off Griffin Jax in the fourth inning of a game reported on August 2, 2026. It was his second homer in his last three starts, and reports indicate he had driven in 11 runs since the break.
The power surge continued days later. Reports say Benintendi homered in the White Sox's 9-1 rout of the Tampa Bay Rays on a Sunday in early August, one of three Chicago long balls in the game — Everson Pereira and Miguel Vargas also went deep. According to those reports, Anthony Kay backed the outburst with 6 1/3 scoreless innings on the mound. It is not established whether Benintendi's 12th homer and his shot against the Rays came in the same game.
Big hits in big spots, from deGrom to Yankee Stadium
Benintendi has made a habit of arriving at the decisive moment. On July 20, 2026, he delivered a go-ahead three-run double in the fifth inning that ended Jacob deGrom's outing, according to reports, as the White Sox beat the Texas Rangers 10-3.
He also reportedly came off the bench to hit a pinch-hit grand slam in the eighth inning at Yankee Stadium, powering a 5-1 win over his former club, the New York Yankees. The date of that game has not been reported.
In another contest, reports say Benintendi's home run secured a White Sox victory on the night Munetaka Murakami's home run streak came to an end. That date, too, is not yet known.
A decade in the majors and a valued veteran voice
Andrew Benintendi reached 10 years of major-league service time in July 2026, according to reports, a milestone that underlines his standing as one of the longest-serving players in the Chicago White Sox clubhouse. Manager Will Venable said the outfielder's veteran presence means "a lot" to the team, according to those reports.
The left fielder's route to that mark has taken him through four organisations. Benintendi began his career with the Boston Red Sox before moving to the Kansas City Royals. In July 2022, the New York Yankees acquired him from Kansas City in exchange for right-handed pitching prospects, according to reports. He later joined the White Sox, where he has settled into the role of senior figure on a younger roster. The service-time landmark, reported in July 2026, formalises a decade spent almost entirely in the major leagues.
The injury setbacks that came before
Benintendi's resurgence follows a 2025 season defined by trips to the injured list. According to reports, he was hit by a pitch in a spring training game in February 2025, suffering a broken right hand that was expected to sideline him for four to six weeks. He was placed on the injured list again in April after returning from that injury, according to the same reports. By May, he was scheduled to begin a rehab assignment with Triple-A Charlotte while recovering from a left calf strain, reports said. The setbacks continued late in the year: in September 2025, the White Sox reportedly placed him on the injured list with left Achilles tendinitis. In all, reports describe a season in which hand, calf and Achilles problems repeatedly interrupted his time in the Chicago lineup.
Traded to the Yankees
Broke his hand after being hit by a pitch in a spring training game; expected to miss four to six weeks
Placed on the injured list after returning from the right hand injury
Scheduled to begin a rehab assignment with Triple-A Charlotte while recovering from a left calf strain
Placed on the injured list with left Achilles tendinitis
Hit a go-ahead three-run double that ended Jacob deGrom's outing in the fifth inning of a 10-3 White Sox win over the Texas Rangers
Reached 10 years of major-league service time; manager Will Venable praised his veteran presence
Hit his 12th home run of the season off Griffin Jax in the fourth inning; his second homer in three starts, with 11 RBIs since the All-Star break
Homered in a 9-1 White Sox win over the Tampa Bay Rays; Everson Pereira and Miguel Vargas also homered and Anthony Kay pitched 6 1/3 scoreless innings
In the White Sox lineup against the Boston Red Sox
Frequently asked questions
Who is Andrew Benintendi?
Andrew Benintendi is an American professional baseball outfielder who plays left field for the Chicago White Sox of Major League Baseball. He previously played in MLB for the Boston Red Sox, Kansas City Royals, and New York Yankees. According to reports, he reached 10 years of major-league service time in July 2026, and White Sox manager Will Venable said his veteran presence means 'a lot' to the team.
How is Andrew Benintendi performing in 2026?
According to reports, Benintendi hit his 12th home run of the season off Griffin Jax in the fourth inning of a game reported on August 2, 2026. It was said to be his second homer in his last three starts, and he had reportedly driven in 11 runs since the All-Star break. He also homered in a 9-1 win over the Tampa Bay Rays in early August, per reports.
What injuries has Andrew Benintendi had?
According to reports, Benintendi broke his hand after being hit by a pitch in a February 2025 spring training game and was expected to miss four to six weeks. He was reportedly placed on the injured list in April 2025 after returning from the right hand injury, began a rehab assignment with Triple-A Charlotte in May 2025 for a left calf strain, and went on the injured list in September 2025 with left Achilles tendinitis.
Did Andrew Benintendi hit a grand slam against the Yankees?
According to reports, Benintendi hit a pinch-hit grand slam in the eighth inning to help the Chicago White Sox defeat the New York Yankees 5-1 at Yankee Stadium. The date of the game is not given in the available reports. Benintendi previously played for the Yankees, who reportedly acquired him from the Kansas City Royals in July 2022 in exchange for right-handed pitching prospects.
What did Benintendi do against Jacob deGrom and the Rangers?
According to reports, Benintendi hit a go-ahead three-run double that ended Jacob deGrom's outing in the fifth inning of the Chicago White Sox's 10-3 win over the Texas Rangers on July 20, 2026. It was one of several notable moments in a productive stretch for the veteran outfielder, who reportedly reached 10 years of major-league service time that same month.
Compiled from reporting by 10 independent outlets. How we source our reporting.
