Chicago White Sox News

White Sox pitching prospect Shane Smith has made the team's Opening Day roster after four spring starts in which he allowed four earned runs on five hits and four walks while striking out 11 in 10 2/3 innings pitched. Chicago selected the righty in December's Rule 5 Draft from the Brewers' organization, so he'll need to stick with the White Sox all season or he'll be returned to the Brewers. The 6-foot-3 hurler worked as both a starter and reliever last season at Double-A but exclusively as a reliever at Triple-A, posting a 3.05 ERA, 1.05 WHIP, and a strong 22.0 percent K-BB% over a total of 94 1/3 IP. He and Bryse Wilson were competing for the final rotation spot and it isn't clear which one will earn the job, but both can work as either a starter or reliever. If it is Smith who earns the job, he could be worthy of a roster spot in deeper leagues with his strikeout ability, although don't expect too many wins given his environment.

Chicago White Sox right-hander Drew Thorpe (elbow) left his minor-league outing early on Thursday due to elbow discomfort. Manager Will Venable said that Thorpe will need to undergo imaging on his arm. It's unclear exactly how serious Thorpe's right-elbow injury is, but it's a bit ominous after he's already had multiple setbacks since having a bone spur removed from the same arm last September. Even if it's not a serious injury for the 24-year-old former second-round pick by the New York Yankees, it would not surprise us if the White Sox play it safe with the young hurler and place him on the injured list to begin the regular season next week. If healthy, though, Thorpe has already secured a spot in Chicago's starting rotation after he went 3-3 with a 5.48 ERA, 1.26 WHIP and 25:21 K:BB over his first nine MLB starts in 2024. He's an AL-only option in fantasy if he's healthy.

The Chicago White Sox have optioned outfielder Oscar Colas to Triple-A Charlotte. The 26-year-old held a modest /250/.333/.375 line through 10 games at spring training. Colas will now have to work his way back to the big leagues from Triple-A. Last summer, Colas appeared in 13 MLB contests and posted a .273./368/.273 slash line. During the 2023 campaign, Colas made his MLB debut and logged 75 starts in the majors. During this stint, he posted a .216/.257/.314 line with nine doubles and five home runs. Across 170 career games with Triple-A Charlotte, Colas has gone deep 22 times and held a .260/.340/.433 slash line. The 26-year-old has swiped 15 bags and held a modest 75:172 BB:K. When he does return to the majors, he could have value in deeper AL-only formats.

Chicago White Sox outfielder Andrew Benintendi (hand) is serving as the designated hitter and is batting third in the lineup for Wednesday's Cactus League game against the Milwaukee Brewers. Benintendi took batting practice in camp on Monday and was cleared to return to game action despite suffering a right-hand fracture earlier in spring training. It's been a pretty quick recovery for the 30-year-old, and as long as he doesn't suffer a setback in live game action, he should be on Chicago's Opening Day roster as their primary left fielder. The former first-rounder by the Boston Red Sox in 2015 out of the University of Arkansas is really only a fantasy option in deep-mixed and AL-only leagues with the lowly White Sox. Benintendi did hit 20 home runs a year ago, but he's a below-average hitter, and his poor defense won't do him any favors if he goes on a prolonged slump.

Chicago White Sox catching prospect Kyle Teel has been reassigned to minor-league camp, along with a host of other players, including fellow catching prospect Edgar Quero. Teel is ranked as the team's No. 2 prospect (MLB No. 32), while Quero comes in at No. 6 (MLB No. 65). That will leave Korey Lee and Matt Thaiss to handle duties for the big-league club, neither of which has had a wRC+ better than 86 to this point in their major-league careers. Teel was a 2023 first-round draft pick, formerly of the Red Sox organization, who hit well until his short stint at Triple-A in 2024 (.255). But he was still able to log a .374 on-base percentage due to his strong 16.3 percent walk rate and showed well this spring, going 5-for-20 with a pair of home runs and a 4:4 BB:K. Quero fared a bit better in '24, slashing .295/.382/.463 during his time at Triple-A, but didn't do much with the bat this spring. Both have an ETA of 2025, according to MLB.com's top-100 prospect list, so we'll see who gets the call first. Whoever it is could make for an intriguing waiver-wire pickup if they earn immediate playing time, especially in deeper leagues.

Chicago White Sox infielder Josh Rojas (toe) is dealing with a hairline fracture in his right big toe, according to manager Will Venable. MLB.com's Scott Merkin writes that it sounds like it's a pain-tolerance situation right now, and Rojas is dealing with some pain. The 30-year-old veteran suffered the injury in Saturday's Cactus League game against the Colorado Rockies. It sounds like he is going to try and play through the injury, so Rojas currently isn't being ruled out for Opening Day next Thursday. Before the injury, Rojas was the favorite to start at second base for the Pale Hose, but if he needs to start the year on the injured list, it could be some combination of prospect Chase Meidroth, Brooks Baldwin or Lenyn Sosa seeing playing time at second. Rojas' glove is better than his bat. He's a below-average hitter and runner, making him only useful for his versatility in AL-only leagues.

Chicago White Sox outfielder Andrew Benintendi (hand) was able to take live batting practice on Monday. Benintendi is reportedly feeling good and things are progressing quicker than expected. The left-handed slugger suffered a non-displaced fracture on his right hand in late February. At the time, Benintendi was expected to miss 4-to-6 weeks of action. Now, Benintendi is pushing to be ready in time for Opening Day against the Los Angeles Angels. The organization is hopeful that Benintendi can get into the lineup as the designated hitter at some point this week.

Chicago White Sox right-handed pitching prospect Mason Adams (shoulder) was diagnosed with a flexor strain in his right elbow. He does not have a definite timetable. Adams exited Saturday's spring training contest due to discomfort in his elbow. Fantasy managers should continue to monitor his status, but given this report, he will likely be sidelined for at least a few weeks. Adams was competing for a spot on the Opening Day roster but will now most likely begin the season in the minor leagues. Last summer, Adams began his campaign with Double-A and held a strong 2.44 ERA with a 1.05 WHIP across 103 1/3 innings. During this stint, he tallied 101 punchouts with 19 walks. He was then promoted to Triple-A, where he allowed 11 earned runs across 17 innings of work. When he returns to the bump, he should compete for an MLB debut later in the season.

Chicago White Sox right-handed pitcher Sean Burke will get the starting nod on Opening Day against the Los Angeles Angels. The 25-year-old made his MLB debut late in the 2024 campaign and has already moved to the top of the rotation. During his brief 19-inning taste of the majors, Burke posted a 1.42 ERA with a strong 1.00 WHIP. He tallied 22 punchouts and held a modest 9.2 percent walk rate. He also generated a high 40.4 percent hard-hit rate with an 8.5 percent barrel rate, which suggests he may face some regression during the 2025 campaign. At the Triple-A level, the 25-year-old held a 4.61 ERA with a 1.29 WHIP across 64 1/3 innings. Across this stint, the Maryland product tallied 86 strikeouts and served up 36 walks. He should be viewed as a high-risk play in DFS and should only be started in deeper AL-only formats.

Chicago White Sox infielder Josh Rojas (toe) exited Saturday's spring training contest early due to toe soreness. The team will likely provide an update on his status after he goes through further testing. Rojas is expected to be their everyday second baseman at the start of the regular season. Earlier in the offseason, the White Sox signed Rojas to a one-year contract worth $3.5 million. Last season, the 30-year-old appeared in 143 contests for the Seattle Mariners. Across this stint, Rojas posted a .225/.304/.336 slash line with 19 doubles and eight long balls. He swiped 10 bags and drew walks at a 9.7 percent rate. While he generated a low .293 xwOBA, he placed in the 94th percentile. With an everyday spot in the White Sox's lineup, Rojas will carry value in deeper AL-only formats.

Chicago White Sox right-handed pitching prospect Mason Adams (elbow) exited Friday's spring training contest due to elbow discomfort. The team noted that he will undergo further testing on Saturday. Fantasy managers should continue to monitor his status. Through seven 1/3 innings in camp, Adams has tallied eight punchouts with one walk. He has allowed seven hits and four earned runs. He was unlikely to make the Opening Day roster and, given this injury, will likely open the season in the minor leagues. Last summer, the former 13th-round pick in the 2022 MLB Draft spent most of his season at Double-A before making his Triple-A debut. Across 103 1/3 innings at Double-A, Adams posted a 2.44 ERA with a 1.05 WHIP. Through his short 17-inning stint at Triple-A, Adams allowed 20 hits and 11 earned runs. If he begins to turn the corner at Triple-A, he could push for an MLB debut later in the 2025 season.

The Chicago White Sox have optioned left-handed pitcher Jared Shuster to Triple-A Charlotte. Shuster was competing for a spot on the major-league roster but will instead begin his campaign in the minor leagues. Through seven innings at spring training, Shuster has allowed 15 hits and nine earned runs. He tallied eight punchouts and served up one free pass. Last summer, the southpaw logged a career-high 73 2/3 innings in the major leagues. Across this stint, he held a 4.30 ERA with a 1.36 WHIP. He tallied strikeouts at a low 17.4 percent rate and served up walks at a high 10.3 percent rate. He also generated a 4.71 xERA, placing him in the 19th percentile among qualified pitchers. When he does return to the major leagues, he will only carry value in AL-only formats given his lack of proven success.

Chicago White Sox pitcher Sean Burke will open the regular season in the starting rotation, according to manager Will Venable. The right-hander appears to have impressed the organization enough in camp to open the season with the big league club. Burke posted a 1.42 ERA, 1.00 WHIP, and 22/7 K/BB ratio across four games (three starts) with the White Sox last season. The 25-year-old is a former third-round pick of the organization from 2021. His numbers in the minor leagues isn't great, but it appears the organization believes he's ready to make an impact on the South Side. Fantasy managers can go ahead and use a wait-and-see approach with Burke.

Chicago White Sox right-handed pitcher Mike Clevinger is reportedly near the top of the list for ninth-inning options heading into the regular season. White Sox manager Will Venable said he might use multiple players in the closer role, but said Clevinger could be an early favorite for saves on the South Side. The veteran right-hander has done a nice job through a few spring appearances, but this will be his first time being a full-time reliever. Clevinger only made four starts for the White Sox last season, but posted a 3.77 ERA across 24 starts in 2023. Honestly, Clevinger might be a viable closing option, but the White Sox probably aren't going to give him enough chances to warrant rostering him in most fantasy formats.

Chicago White Sox infielder Jacob Amaya (hip) is starting at shortstop and batting ninth in Friday's Cactus League game against the Cincinnati Reds. After taking a few days to rest due to a hip injury that he suffered earlier in the week, Amaya is ready to return as he tries to win the shortstop job heading into Opening Day later this month. The 26-year-old is probably on the outside looking in right now alongside prospect Chase Meidroth and Brooks Baldwin. Amaya has just two hits in 16 at-bats during Cactus League play entering Friday, including eight punchouts in nine games. The former 11th-round pick by the Los Angeles Dodgers in 2017 is going to have to do a lot in a short amount of time to change the White Sox's mind to open the regular season. He hit .176 with no homers and three RBI in 24 games with the White Sox and Houston Astros in 2024.

Chicago White Sox catching prospect Kyle Teel has been swinging a hot bat during spring training and is making a strong case to be on the Opening Day roster. Through 11 contests, Teel has posted a .333/.474/.800 slash line with one double, two home runs, and a 4:4 BB:K. He has added six RBI and scored four runs. Teel was shipped to Chicago in a package that sent starting pitching Garrett Crochet to Boston in the offseason. The former 13th overall pick in the 2023 MLB Draft is considered one of the top catching prospects in baseball. Last season, Teel opened his campaign with Double-A and held a .298/.390/.462 line with 20 doubles and 11 long balls. He then earned a taste of Triple-A where he posted a .255/.374/.343 line with three doubles and two long balls across 28 games. Even if he were to open the season at Triple-A, he would be a popular stash candidate, as he may need only another brief look at Triple-A.

Chicago White Sox manager Will Venable notes that outfielder Andrew Benintendi (hand) "felt really good" while taking swings in the batting cage on Thursday. Daryl Van Schouwen of the Chicago Sun-Times reported the news. "We feel confident that he's in a good spot to progress," said Venable. The veteran broke a bone in his hand at the end of February after being hit by a pitch and was initially given a four- to six-week timetable for his return. It appears he's currently on schedule, and though Van Schouwen notes his being ready on Opening Day seems slightly out of reach, Venable did not rule it out. Benintendi underperformed in 2024 with a .229 average, marking a career-low. Even if he bounces back, he isn't as appealing as a bat in terms of fantasy.

The Chicago White Sox announced on Wednesday that they agreed to terms with free-agent outfielder Travis Jankowski on a minor-league deal that includes a non-roster invite to big-league spring training. The Chicago Cubs signed Jankowski to a minor-league deal earlier this spring, but they reassigned him to minor-league camp on Sunday and then asked for his release. The 33-year-old veteran outfielder will now try to make the major-league roster with the rebuilding White Sox, although he'll have little time to impress the coaching staff in Cactus League games. Jankowski slashed a lowly .200/.266/.242 with a homer and 11 stolen bases in 104 games with the Texas Rangers last year. However, he does have 10 years of MLB experience and could win a platoon role in the outfield with both Andrew Benintendi and Austin Slater questionable for the start of the 2025 regular season due to injuries.

Chicago White Sox infield prospect Chase Meidroth (calf) returned to the team's Cactus League lineup on Wednesday against the Los Angeles Angels and was penciled in at shortstop and in the leadoff spot. Meidroth is back in action for the first time since leaving last Saturday's spring game against the Los Angeles Dodgers due to cramps. The 23-year-old is competing with Brooks Baldwin for the Opening Day job at shortstop now that prospect Colson Montgomery was sent to Triple-A Charlotte on Tuesday. Meidroth came over from Boston in the trade involving left-hander Garrett Crochet in the offseason, and he'll now have a much better chance at making an impact at the big-league level in 2025. While Meidroth is an advanced hitter, he doesn't have much power or speed, so he'll need everyday playing time to generate fantasy value in deeper formats.

According to Scott Merkin of MLB.com, Chicago White Sox infielder Josh Rojas is projected to the be their Opening Day second baseman. Even though Rojas has spent most of his MLB career at the hot corner, he does have experience at the keystone. The White Sox signed Rojas to a one-year deal worth $3.5 million during the offseason after being non-tendered by Seattle. Last season, the 30-year-old posted a .225/.304/.336 slash line with eight home runs and 10 stolen bases. He generated a modest .223 xBA but generated a strong 22.0 percent chase rate. If Rojas were to struggle at second base, Lenyn Sosa would likely replace him. Even though he carries little offensive upside, Rojas is a solid bench option in deeper AL-only formats, as he should have a role in the everyday lineup.