CHICAGO -- Avisail Garcia seemed to have mixed emotions concerning his return to Chicago on Monday as part of the Rays.

He was thrilled to be with Tampa Bay and had some great memories of his six years with the White Sox. But Garcia was disappointed in the way his tenure on the South Side closed out when the team non-tendered him along with Matt Davidson this past offseason.

“I was a little bit [disappointed],” Garcia told Chicago media before the series opener at Guaranteed Rate Field. “But you know, it is what it is: business. So I’m happy where I am right now. Just got to keep working and do my thing.

“When I play with a team, I always do my best. I don’t care if it’s the White Sox. I don’t care if it’s Tampa or Detroit. I played hard the whole season last year. I take pride in that. Even when I was hurt, I did my best. So it is what it is. Whatever happens happens.”

Garcia, 27, produced an All-Star season in 2017 when he finished second in the American League with a .330 average to go with 18 home runs, 27 doubles and 80 RBIs. He was always known as a player with five-tool-talent potential, but he really only hit that mark in ’17.

In 2018, when Garcia was limited to 93 games, he hit .236 with a career-high 19 home runs. Garcia also played hurt at some level for the entire season, dealing with right knee pain that surgically repaired in the offseason. Garcia, who batted cleanup for the Rays on Monday, dealt with a pair of right hamstring injuries as well.

The White Sox are rich with young outfield talent and certainly weren’t going to risk going to arbitration with Garcia again. Their move made Garcia a little unhappy but not completely saddened over his Chicago time.

“I’ve got a lot of memories in Chicago,” said Garcia, who keeps in touch with Yolmer Sanchez and interpreter Billy Russo from his old team. “I went to the All-Star Game here for the first time. My kids were born here. I don’t know what they think. The only thing I know is I don’t like the way I came out from the White Sox. But it is what it is. It’s business. So no hard feelings.”

“Everybody enjoyed being around him, and he gave us everything he had all the time,” White Sox manager Rick Renteria said. “It’s nice to see him back. I hope he doesn’t do anything against us. Yeah, I’ve got good memories of Avi.”

Garcia finished 2-for-5 with one RBI and three strikeouts in Monday’s 5-1 Rays victory.

“It was fun to face him,” said White Sox starting and losing pitcher Carlos Rodon. “I had never pitched against him before, so it was interesting.”

Fulmer makes season debut

Right-handed pitcher Carson Fulmer made a one-day appearance with the White Sox during Monday's game. Fulmer was recalled from Triple-A Charlotte prior to the loss and then optioned back after allowing one run in three innings with three strikeouts and two walks. The plan was for Fulmer to be a one-day presence, with the roster spot needed for Tuesday’s expected starter, Ervin Santana.

“It was to get him in and get him back,” said White Sox manager Rick Renteria of the team's top pick and eighth overall in the 2015 Draft. “Continue to have him work on the things he's doing. It's obviously working. He looked very, very good today.”

“Bullpen needed some help,” said Fulmer, who threw 47 pitches and looked confident and comfortable on the mound. “I definitely wanted to be the guy to help them out and tried to go as long as possible. Definitely some positives from today. Hopefully I’ll be back soon.”

Tuesday’s official addition of Santana will give the White Sox five starters and eight relievers.

They said it

“Since last year, I’ve been feeling more comfortable in my role as a pitcher. It’s just a matter of getting the job done and to have the opportunity to go out there and pitch. That’s something that is going to make you feel more comfortable and better.” -- Jose Ruiz, through Russo, on truly feeling like a pitcher after converting from a catcher in 2016