GLENDALE, Ariz. -- First baseman Dan Johnson and five other White Sox were reassigned to minor league camp on Tuesday.

Johnson, a left-handed hitter with a flair for dramatic home runs, was competing with shortstop Eduardo Escobar for the 25th spot on the roster. Escobar is batting .471 with a home run, two doubles and six RBI and no walks.

Johnson hit .333 (8-for-24) with two home runs and a double this spring. Keeping Escobar, a switch-hitter who stole three bases (and was caught stealing twice) gives the Sox more speed, a pinch runner and more options along with Brent Lillibridge as a backup utility infielder.

"I'm really excited,'' Escobar said. "I've been working very hard and will continue to do that. Being here as long as I have, making the cut, shows the hard work that I've been doing."

Escobar, 23, has been rated as the Sox' top defensive infielder the last three seasons by Baseball America. A career .270 minor-league hitter. he played most of 2011 with AAA Charlotte and nine games for the Sox. Thirty-year-old veteran infielder Ray Olmedo is still in camp as well.

Outfielder Jordan Danks, infielders Jim Gallagher Tyler Saladino and Dallas McPherson and catcher Josh Phegley were also assigned to to minor-league camp.

Thirty-one players remain in major-league camp: 16 pitchers, three catchers, seven infielders and five outfielders. The remaining competition for jobs is for two bullpen spots, with Zach Stewart, Brian Bruney, Nate Jones, Dylan Axelrod, Eric Stults and Leyson still in camp.