Adam Eaton rejoins White Sox after son's early arrival

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MINNEAPOLIS -- Adam Eaton’s newborn son apparently has a knack for timeliness.

The White Sox outfielder rejoined his teammates on Monday morning, a proud first-time father. The club activated him off the paternity list and sent rookie pitcher Michael Ynoa back to Double-A Birmingham.

Eaton’s son, Brayden, arrived 16 days early and in Chicago, which both allowed the leadoff man to attend, and meant he only missed one game after Sunday’s contest was postponed. Though his wife, Katie, could only attend her baby shower Saturday via Skype and the couple had to use an unfamiliar doctor, all grandparents were in attendance because they were in town for Friday’s home opener.

“It couldn’t have worked out more perfect,” Eaton said. “The whole family was there. It was perfect timing. And with the rainout (Sunday), me only missing one game was awesome. We are thrilled. But yeah, a little hazy. We didn’t have an overnight bag. It was in Michigan.”

White Sox manager Robin Ventura told Eaton to take as much time as he needed and he could have stayed through Tuesday. As luck would have it, Eaton only missed the one game and was able to make the team’s flight to the Twin Cities from Chicago on Sunday night. After he only got two hours sleep the night before, Eaton slept through the night Sunday.

“It did work out well,” Ventura said. “He got to do everything he wanted to do, which is great for the family to be there. You don’t want to miss it and he didn’t. He only missed one game which is kind of old school, that wasn’t available back then. That game got rained out, enabled him to make the flight. He was excited to not only have a child, but to have been there for his wife, but to be here and be part of the team and back at it.”

[SHOP: Gear up, White Sox fans!]

Eaton looks forward to leaning on his teammates on how to handle fatherhood. He offered that he didn’t pass out during the birth and that his wife and son are both healthy and had just arrived at home in Michigan.

Eaton said the experience was surreal.

“It’s just amazing,” Eaton said. “I can’t explain it. I truly can’t. But to be away from is definitely tough. You think you felt every emotion in the book. You think that you loved your life, and I still love my wife very much, but it’s definitely a different love. Something you created between a special person and myself. It’s emotions I’ve never felt before.”

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