After asking for and being granted his release by the Chicago White Sox over the weekend, first baseman/outfielder/designated hitter Joey Gallo announced on X that he will now be transitioning to a pitcher. Gallo went just 2-for-20 with 11 strikeouts in nine Cactus League games for the White Sox before they cut him. The 31-year-old left-handed slugger was a former 39th overall pick by the Texas Rangers in 2012 and has 208 career home runs, but also 1,292 strikeouts in 3,403 career plate appearances over 10 big-league seasons. The two-time All-Star hit 40-plus home runs in back-to-back seasons in 2017 and 2018 with the Rangers but had really tanked offensively in recent years, slashing just .161/.277/.336 with 10 home runs, 27 RBI and 102 K's in 76 games with the Washington Nationals in 2024. Gallo will be a long shot to resurface in the big leagues as a hurler.
The Chicago White Sox released outfielder Joey Gallo. The White Sox signed Gallo to a minor-league contract earlier in the winter. During spring training, he went 2-for-20 at the plate. Last season, Gallo spent the campaign in Washington. Across 76 MLB contests, Gallo held a .161/.277/.336 slash line with nine doubles and 10 home runs. He drew walks at an impressive 12.3 percent rate but struck out at a high 39.2 percent rate. Gallo also generated a low .285 xwOBA with a .173 xBA. During the 2023 campaign, the 31-year-old logged 111 starts with the Minnesota Twins and posted a .177/.301/.440 line with 21 home runs. If Gallo does find a new club before Opening Day, he should not be targeted in any formats given his lack of consistency in the major leagues.
According to Scott Merkin of MLB.com, the Chicago White Sox have signed free-agent first baseman/outfielder Joey Gallo to a minor-league contract that includes an invite to spring training. Gallo spent the entire 2024 campaign with the Washington Nationals. Across 76 games in D.C., Gallo posted a .161/.277/.336 line with 10 home runs and nine doubles. Under the hood, he generated a strong 13.1 percent barrel rate but held a hefty 39.2 percent strikeout rate. However, he was able to draw walks at a hefty 12.3 percent rate. During the 2023 campaign, Gallo held a .177/.301/.440 line with 21 home runs. Fantasy managers should expect the 31-year-old to compete for a spot on the Chicago Opening Day roster during camp. If he does make the roster, he will likely see most of his starts at first base or right field.
As expected, the Washington Nationals declined their $8 million 2025 mutual option for outfielder/designated hitter Joey Gallo on Monday. It was the no-brainer move after Gallo showed more decline in his first year in the nation's capital. The two-time All-Star hit an abysmal .161/.277/.336 with a career-worst .613 OPS, 10 home runs, 27 RBI, three stolen bases and 24 runs scored in 260 plate appearances and 76 games played. The whiff-happy 30-year-old veteran left-handed slugger was always a big swing and miss guy, but it's gotten worse, with Gallo fanning in 102 of his 223 at-bats in 2024. In 10 big-league seasons since debuting in 2015 with the Texas Rangers, he has hit .194 with a .319 on-base percentage in 939 regular-season games. Gallo may have to settle for a minor-league deal elsewhere if he wants to continue his playing career.
Joey Gallo Smashes Three-Run Homer In Multi-Hit Performance
Washington Nationals first baseman and outfielder Joey Gallo smashed a three-run home run and went 2-3 with a walk in Washington's 5-1 win over the Chicago Cubs on Saturday. Gallo's homer was his ninth and he improved his OPS to .622 on the season. It was a positive game in a down season for the lefty, whose .622 OPS would be a career low outside of a 17-game season in 2016. Much of Gallo's 2024 has been marred with injuries, holding him back and limiting his playing time. Even with the missed playing time, this would be his third straight season with an xwOBA below .300, something fantasy managers simply aren't used to seeing. As an unrestricted free agent for the 2025 season, it may not be surprising to see Gallo sign with another team as the Nationals turn their heads to younger guys like Juan Yepez and Andres Chaparro at first base. A change of scenery may not be the worst thing for the 30-year-old as he works to get back to his old ways. He'll look to stay hot for the season's finish when the Nationals face their next righty on Wednesday against Alec Marsh and the Kansas City Royals.
First baseman/designated hitter Joey Gallo is in the lineup for the Washington Nationals against the New York Yankees on Tuesday, starting at first base and batting eighth in the order against right-hander Gerrit Cole. Gallo is hitting .165/.285/.310 with five homers, 12 RBI, and 18 runs scored in 52 games with the Nationals. He has struck out 78 times in 158 at-bats and has not homered since June 3. Not even the deepest fantasy leagues can justify having Gallo on a roster. At this point, it appears his days as a major-leaguer are winding down. You'll also want to avoid him in DFS against strikeout artist Cole.
The Washington Nationals will have first baseman Joey Gallo (hamstring) back on the roster for Tuesday's game against the Colorado Rockies after activating him from the 10-day injured list, although he won't start on Tuesday. Gallo had been on a minor-league rehab assignment for Triple-A Rochester, where he hit .177/.378/.484 with six homers, 15 RBI, and 17 runs scored in 19 games. He is hitting .164/.285/.321 with five homers, 11 RBI, and 17 runs scored along with a stolen base in 46 games with the Nationals. Despite his massive power, Gallo is not an option fantasy managers should consider in mixed formats anymore.
Washington Nationals outfielder/first baseman/designated hitter Joey Gallo (hamstring) will start a minor-league rehab assignment with Triple-A Rochester on Tuesday, and the plan is for him to play five innings at first base. Then Gallo will serve as the DH for a full game on Wednesday and play five to seven innings in right field on Thursday. Gallo was placed on the 10-day injured list way back on June 12 with a left-hamstring strain. The 30-year-old left-handed slugger could rejoin the Nats by the weekend, barring any setbacks on his rehab assignment. When he's back, though, he could merely be a bench bat for the Nationals as they play out the string in 2024. Before hurting his hammy, Gallo was hitting a pathetic .164 (23-for-140) with five homers, 11 RBI and 71 strikeouts in his 165 plate appearances. The power potential is no longer worth it for fantasy managers in mixed leagues.
Washington Nationals first baseman/outfielder Joey Gallo (hamstring) has started a light running program in his rehab for a serious hamstring injury that he suffered on June 11. Given the serious nature of his injury, the 30-year-old left-handed slugger won't be ready to come off the 10-day injured list when he's eligible and may not even be ready to return before the All-Star break in mid-July. Gallo is also going to require a minor-league rehab assignment before he rejoins the big-league roster. Fantasy managers chasing power will find it difficult to roster Gallo in mixed leagues now days. In his first 140 at-bats before his hamstring injury, he went just 23-for-140 (.164) with five home runs and 11 RBI for the Nats. The former first-rounder is a huge batting average drain, and the swings and misses continue to pile up.
The Washington Nationals reinstated first baseman/outfielder designated hitter Joey Gallo (shoulder) from the 10-day injured list on Friday and optioned rookie infielder Trey Lipscomb to Triple-A Rochester in a corresponding move. It remains to be seen if Gallo will be included in Friday's starting lineup against the Philadelphia Phillies and right-hander Zack Wheeler. The 30-year-old left-handed slugger has recovered from a sprained AC joint in his left shoulder and should play mostly in right field or as the DH on most days against right-handed pitching for the Nats, at least until Lane Thomas (knee) returns from his injury. Gallo has elite power but struggles to make consistent contact at the plate. He's returning to a .122/.286/.311 slash line with three homers and five RBI in the 23 games he's played in this year.
