The Chicago White Sox on Friday announced the signing of free-agent shortstop Elvis Andrus ahead of an important three-game series against the first-place Cleveland Guardians at Progressive Field.

To make room for Andrus on the active roster, the Sox optioned infielder Lenyn Sosa to Triple-A Charlotte.

Andrus, 33, slashed .237/.301/.373 with 24 doubles, eight home runs, 30 RBIs, 41 runs and seven stolen bases in 106 games with the Oakland Athletics before being released Wednesday.

Andrus is in Friday’s starting lineup, batting seventh and playing shortstop. The signing comes at a time the Sox have been dealing with injuries at the position.

All-Star Tim Anderson is on the injured list with a sagittal band tear on the middle finger of his left hand and is expected to miss about six weeks. He suffered the injury on a check swing Aug. 6 against the Texas Rangers at Globe Life Field in Arlington, Texas. Leury García, who had been filling in, went on the 10-day IL on Wednesday with a lower back strain.

The Sox enter the series in third place in the American League Central, 2½ games behind the division-leading Guardians.

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