Chicago White Sox News

Chicago White Sox infielder Lenyn Sosa is out of the starting lineup ahead of Sunday's game against the Milwaukee Brewers. This marks the second time in the first three games that Sosa has been held out of the starting lineup. The expectation was that Sosa would have a bigger role after smacking a career-high 22 home runs in 2025. Instead, Sosa appears to be stuck in a part-time role on the South Side of Chicago. So far this season, Sosa is 0-for-6 and might end up only playing against left-handed pitching. Andrew Benintendi will serve as the designated hitter while Everson Pereira starts in right field versus right-hander Brandon Sproat on Sunday.

Chicago White Sox right-hander Shane Smith got off to a bad start to the 2026 season on Opening Day on Thursday in a 14-2 loss to the hosting Milwaukee Brewers at American Family Field. Smith only went 1 2/3 innings in his first start of the year and surrendered four runs (three earned) on three hits while walking two and striking out two. All of the damage against Smith came on a bases-clearing double from catcher William Contreras in the second inning. It was the shortest outing of the 25-year-old's career, and he threw only 54 pitches. Smith was an All-Star in 2025 in his first year in the majors, going 7-8 with a 3.81 ERA (4.10 FIP) and 1.19 WHIP with 145 strikeouts and 58 walks in 146 1/3 innings over his 29 starts for Chicago. Smith's 23.9% strikeout rate was slightly above league average, but his 9.4% walk rate was well below average. If Smith continues to exhibit poor control, it could be a tough sophomore season, especially since he's unlikely to pick up many wins on what should be another bad White Sox team.

Chicago White Sox third baseman Miguel Vargas went hitless during Thursday's Opening Day matchup against the Milwaukee Brewers. Vargas went 0-for-3 at the plate with a walk in the blowout loss. It wasn't an ideal start for Vargas, but that shouldn't stop fantasy managers from considering scooping him up. The 26-year-old was in the three-hole, which should help his fantasy value if he sticks in that spot going forward. He's coming off a productive season with the White Sox in 2025. He slashed .234/.316/.401 with 16 home runs and 60 RBI across 138 games. The expectation is that Vargas will get a chance to play full-time at third base in 2026. He doesn't hit for average, but has decent pop, can draw walks, and has some speed as well. Vargas does enough right on the field to warrant a look in deep leagues to start the season.

Chicago White Sox first baseman Munetaka Murakami went 1-for-2 with a home run and two walks during his MLB debut on Thursday afternoon. The White Sox took a tough 14-2 loss to the reigning NL Central Champion Milwaukee Brewers, but Murakami was one of the few bright spots on the roster. The 26-year-old slugger would hit his first MLB long ball in the ninth frame. Murakami has spent his entire professional career overseas in the NPB before joining the White Sox this winter. Last season, Murakami hit .244 but continued to flash high-end power, launching 33 home runs and posting a .379 OPB. In 2022, Murakami enjoyed the best season of his professional career, launching 56 home runs with a .318/.458/.710 line. While his batting average may remain low, Murakami possesses high-end raw power and should contend for a 30-HR campaign with an everyday role in the Chicago starting nine.

Chicago White Sox catcher Kyle Teel (hamstring) was seen getting in some pre-game work on Thursday before the team's Opening Day contest in Milwaukee against the Brewers, according to Scott Merkin of MLB.com. Teel was placed on the 10-day injured list to start the 2026 season due to a Grade 2 right-hamstring strain that he suffered in mid-March while playing for Italy during the World Baseball Classic. The White Sox expect the 24-year-old backstop to return in four to six weeks. When healthy, Teel should serve as the Pale Hose's primary catcher in 2026, sharing time with Edgar Quero behind the dish. Until Teel can make his season debut, the White Sox will roll with Quero and Reese McGuire at the position. Teel doesn't have a crazy-high power ceiling, but he's proven he can get on base frequently, and he even has above-average wheels for a catcher. The former 14th overall pick in 2023 out of Virginia by the Red Sox hit .273/.375/.411 with a .786 OPS, eight homers, and 35 RBI in his first 78 major-league games in Chicago in 2025.

Chicago White Sox outfielder Luisangel Acuna is starting in center field and is batting ninth on Opening Day on Thursday against the Milwaukee Brewers and right-hander Jacob Misiorowski at American Family Field, according to MLB.com. Acuna joined the Pale Hose this offseason and will operate as the club's regular center fielder to begin the 2026 season. The 24-year-old Venezuelan began his career as an infielder before being shifted to the outfield this spring in Chicago. In 95 games with the New York Mets in 2024, he slashed .234/.293/.274 with a .567 OPS, no homers, eight RBI, 30 runs scored, and 16 stolen bases in 193 plate appearances. Acuna, the younger brother of Braves superstar Ronald Acuna Jr., made some adjustments with his swing mechanics to try to generate more power going forward, but fantasy managers in deeper leagues should only really be counting on his speed on the basepaths.

Chicago White Sox relief pitcher Seranthony Dominguez is set to open the 2026 season as his team's primary closer. The 31-year-old signed a two-year contract with Chicago this past winter after posting a 3.16 ERA and 1.28 ERA with 79 strikeouts across 62 2/3 innings split between the Baltimore Orioles and Toronto Blue Jays in 2025. Dominguez recorded an impressive 30.3% strikeout rate, but he also allowed an elevated 13.8% walk rate. While Dominguez lowered his HR/9 to 0.72 in 2025, he allowed an elevated 1.84 HR/9 in 2024. If his struggles with the long ball return in 2026, his tendency to issue free passes could impact his ERA. Still, Dominguez should have an extended runway in the ninth inning in Chicago, and he's consistently demonstrated an ability to generate strikeouts throughout his MLB career. He may not have high-end upside, but Dominguez could be an undervalued source of saves and strikeouts for fantasy managers in 2026.

Chicago White Sox first baseman Munetaka Murakami is slated to have a starring role to begin his debut season in the major leagues and could emerge as one of the game's top power hitters. Murakami has spent his entire professional career overseeing in the NPB and consistently flashed elite power. He enjoyed his best season back in 2022 when he launched an eye-catching 56 home runs. Since 2023, Murakami has hit at least 30 home runs in two seasons and was on pace to meet that mark once again in 2025, but he only appeared in 56 games. However, in this short stint, Murakami hit 22 long balls while holding a .273 AVG. The lone knock on his profile is his high strikeout rate that has sat above 28.0% in each of his last three seasons. In spring training, Murakami held a .276/.323/.448 line with a home run, but struck out at a 25.8% rate. While his value could drop in points leagues that punish high strikeout hitters, he does draw walks at an impressive rate, which can offset his strikeout totals. Given that he is slated to see an everyday role in the Chicago starting lineup, the rookie slugger possesses 30-HR upside if he can make a quick adjustment ot major-league pitching. He is worth starting in all 12+ team leagues in the opening week of the season.

Chicago White Sox right-handed pitching prospect Jedixson Paez has made the Opening Day roster. Paez was a Rule 5 Draft selection. Even though the 22-year-old has yet to spend time in the upper minor leagues, the White Sox believe he is ready to face the top hitters in the sport. Last summer, Paez logged just 19 1/3 innings with High-A Greenville and posted a 2.79 ERA, 1.09 WHIP, and a stellar 23:3 K:BB. In 2024, he logged 96 2/3 innings across time at Low-A and High-A, where he carried a 3.17 ERA, 1.12 WHIP, and a 113:12 K:BB. Given his high strikeout upside and elite command, Paez is worth monitoring in deeper formats. Due to his lack of experience in the upper levels, managers should expect the right-hander to open the season as a low-leverage reliever.

Chicago White Sox outfielder Jarred Kelenic was informed on Friday that he will not make the team's Opening Day roster, according to Scott Merkin of MLB.com. It's a new low point for the former top prospect after hitting .200 (7-for-35) with two home runs, five RBI, six runs scored, three walks, and 10 strikeouts in 38 plate appearances over 12 Cactus League games this spring. The 26-year-old left-handed-hitting outfielder was taken sixth overall by the New York Mets in the 2018 draft. He spent his first three years with the Seattle Mariners before playing for the Atlanta Braves for the last two seasons. Kelenic sports a .211 average with 49 homers, 156 RBI, 161 runs, and 31 steals in 407 total games in his five seasons. Last year, he only played in 24 games for the Braves and hit .167 with two homers. It's getting late for Kelenic to rebound in dynasty/keeper leagues, and you can ignore him entirely in single-year formats.

Chicago White Sox pitching prospect Noah Schultz was reassigned to minor league camp earlier this month after making a pair of Cactus League appearances. The former first-round draft pick showed well in his limited action, offering glimpses of his strikeout potential with five punchouts in 4 1/3 innings pitched while walking none. The 6-foot-10 hurler earned a promotion to Triple-A in midseason last year, but struggled to a 9.37 ERA, 1.96 WHIP, and an 11.7 percent K-BB% in five starts with Charlotte before being shut down with knee tendinitis. That is where the southpaw is expected to start 2026, and with the knee issue behind him, he'll look to get on a roll early and work toward a major league debut later this year, perhaps even before the All-Star break. The 22-year-old's large frame and strikeout potential give him the look of a worthy stash candidate in deep redraft leagues; otherwise, managers in shallower formats should keep an eye on his progress as Chicago's top-ranked pitching prospect could offer fantasy-rotation reinforcement once he's called up.

Chicago White Sox pitchers Erick Fedde and Sean Burke have been named to the team's Opening Day starting rotation by manager Will Venable, according to Mark Feinsand of MLB.com. Shane Smith, Anthony Kay, and Davis Martin will round out Chicago's rotation to begin the 2026 regular season. Fedde and Burke will be options for fantasy managers in AL-only leagues and won't provide much upside. Fedde, 33, spent time with the St. Louis Cardinals, Atlanta Braves, and Milwaukee Brewers in 2025 and was very inconsistent, posting a 5.49 ERA, 1.52 WHIP, and 83:67 K:BB in 141 innings over 32 outings (24 starts). With a career 4.94 ERA and 6.9 K/9, there's not much to like about Fedde's profile. Burke, 26, has a 3.87 ERA, 1.39 WHIP, and 155:70 K:BB over 153 1/3 innings and 32 outings (25 starts) the last two years in Chicago. He actually made the Opening Day start in 2025, but issues with home runs and poor control made him inconsistent overall. That has carried into spring training this year.

Chicago White Sox infield prospect William Bergolla Jr. will begin the 2026 regular season but make his Triple-A debut. Bergolla spent his entire 2025 season in Double-A and showed enough progress in camp to reach the top level of the minor leagues. Last summer, the team's No. 11-ranked prospect would log 125 games with Double-A Birmingham and hold a .286/.342/.333 line with no home runs. However, he would flash elite upside on the basepaths, swiping 40 bags and chipping in 19 doubles. In the previous campaign, Bergolla spent 89 games at the High-A level and posted a strong .300/.359/.381 line with 27 stolen bases. While he is not an option for power, managers in deeper redraft leagues should monitor his progression as he could be a high-end source for stolen bases later in the second half.

Chicago White Sox top prospect Braden Montgomery will begin the 2026 regular season at Double-A. Montgomery is considered the team's No. 1 prospect on MLB.com and the No. 36 overall prospect in the sport. Montgomery joined the White Sox in the trade that sent Garrett Crochet to the Red Sox last offseason. He was initially the 12th overall pick in the 2024 class out of Texas A&M. Last summer, Montgomery spent most of his time at High-A before moving up to Double-A later in the second half. At High-A, the outfielder would hold a .260/.348/.445 line with eight home runs and five stolen bases. With Double-A (34 games), Montgomery would look quite comfortable, holding a .272/.364/.416 line but would only hit one round-tripper. If Montgomery can tap into his power early in the season, he should remain on track to join Triple-A later in the first half.

Chicago White Sox left-handed pitching prospect Hagen Smith will be starting the 2026 regular season with Triple-A Charlotte. Smith was in the mix to earn a spot on the Opening Day roster but will instead begin the campaign by making his Triple-A debut. Smith spent the entire 2025 campaign with Double-A Birmingham. Through 75 2/3 innings at this level, Smith held a 3.57 ERA with a 1.30 WHIP. The southpaw struck out an impressive 108 hitters but struggled to command his pitches, allowing a high 58 free passes. In 2024, Smith made his professional debut with High-A and tossed only 7 2/3 innings with a 7:2 K:BB. Given how quickly Smith has progressed through the minor leagues, the former fifth overall pick from the 2024 MLB Draft remains on track for an early promotion to the major leagues.

The Chicago White Sox announced on Monday that they reassigned left-handed pitching prospect Hagen Smith to minor-league camp. Smith will begin the 2026 season at Triple-A Charlotte, but he figures to make his major-league debut with the Pale Hose at some point this year. The 22-year-old southpaw spent all of last year working at Double-A Birmingham, going 3-3 with a 3.57 ERA, 1.29 WHIP, and 108:56 K:BB in 75 2/3 innings pitched over his 20 starts. The former fifth overall pick in 2024 out of the University of Arkansas was considered one of the highest-floor starting pitchers of his draft class, but his inability to throw strikes so far in the minors has been worrisome. Elbow soreness early last year also caused Smith to miss six weeks. The 6-foot-3, 235-pounder still has a dominant fastball/slider combination, but he's going to need to throw more strikes if he's going to be successful at the major-league level. Smith is strictly a dynasty/keeper-league stash for now.

Across 62 2/3 innings split between the Baltimore Orioles and Toronto Blue Jays in 2025, veteran relief pitcher Seranthony Dominguez recorded a 4-4 record with a 3.16 ERA, 1.28 WHIP, 79 strikeouts, and two saves. Dominguez's performance was enough to earn him a two-year deal from the Chicago White Sox in free agency, where he is expected to be the team's primary closer. The 30-year-old is far from a perfect pitcher, as he posted an elevated 13.8% walk rate in 2025 and allowed an inflated 1.84 HR/9 as recently as 2024. However, Dominguez struck out 30.3% of the batters he faced in 2025 and should have a long runway as Chicago's primary option in the ninth inning. Dominguez also pitched well in the World Baseball Classic for the Dominican Republic this spring, allowing just three base runners and zero earned runs across four appearances. If he can keep his walk and home run rates in check, Dominguez could be an undervalued source of saves heading into 2026.

Chicago White Sox right-handed pitcher Mike Vasil (elbow) exited with a trainer during the middle of his Cactus League start against the Los Angeles Dodgers on Saturday. According to an announcement from the team, Vasil is experiencing right elbow soreness and will undergo additional evaluation. At the time of his departure, he had gone 3.2 scoreless innings with two hits, two walks, and three strikeouts. Vasil has been in the mix for a rotation spot this spring, making two relief appearances and two starts. That follows a similar trend from the 2025 regular season, in which the right-hander threw 101 innings across three starts and 44 bullpen outings. He typically offers long relief, and this new injury may impact his quest to make the White Sox' rotation out of camp. Anthony Kay and Erick Fedde are currently projected to earn regular-season starts over Sean Newcomb, who was confirmed as a reliever this weekend, and the injured Vasil.

Chicago White Sox pitcher Sean Newcomb will open the regular season in the bullpen, manager Will Venable told Kyle Williams of The Chicago Sun-Times. Newcomb has produced mixed results this spring. His 9.00 K/9, 2.45 BB/9, and 47.2% ground ball rate are impressive, but the same can't be said about his 1.64 HR/9 and 5.11 FIP. While Newcomb has experience starting and relieving, this decision shouldn't come as much of a surprise. Only five of his 48 appearances last year were starts, and he hasn't made more than five starts in a single season since 2018. Newcomb's placement in the bullpen should lead to Anthony Kay and Erick Fedde making the White Sox' Opening Day starting rotation. Pitching prospects Hagen Smith and Noah Schultz will likely open the year in Triple-A.

Chicago White Sox utility man Brooks Baldwin (elbow) had imaging done on his right elbow that revealed inflammation, per Scott Merkin of MLB.com. While it's not entirely clear what the issue is for Baldwin, it appears as though he could be at risk of missing Opening Day. Across 328 plate appearances for Chicago in 2025, Baldwin slashed .240/.290/.407 with 11 home runs, 38 RBI, 32 runs scored, and five stolen bases. The 25-year-old's main appeal is his versatility, as he has spent time at every defensive position other than first base, catcher, and pitcher. If Baldwin misses time, recently acquired utility man Luisangel Acuna (eye) could see a more prominent role in the early portion of the season for the White Sox.