Chicago White Sox Roster
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Chicago White Sox left-hander Garrett Crochet fared well in his first major-league start on Thursday, launching six innings of one-run ball on six hits with eight strikeouts, but he took a tough-luck loss in the 1-0 Opening Day defeat to the Detroit Tigers. Crochet didn't allow a single walk, but Andy Ibanez delivered the deciding run of the game on a sacrifice fly to score Javier Baez during the third frame. Once a top prospect in the ChiSox farm system, the hard-throwing 24-year-old lefty was the No. 11 overall pick in the 2020 MLB draft and entered the 2024 season with a career 2.71 ERA (3.16 FIP), 1.32 WHIP, and 85:40 K:BB over 73 big-league innings. Crochet's fastball and slider combination clearly poses plenty of swing-and-miss stuff, and he will have streaming appeal in the proper matchup. He's lined up to take the ball next on Wednesday against the visiting Atlanta Braves, however, where Crochet won't be a recommended fantasy option in such a scary matchup.
The Chicago White Sox placed catcher Max Stassi (hip) on the 10-day injured list on Monday with left-hip inflammation and recalled catcher Korey Lee from Triple-A Charlotte in a corresponding move. The 33-year-old Stassi will be eligible to be reinstated from the injured list on April 4, so he may not end up missing much time at all. However, it's not good news for Stassi after he missed all of 2023 with the Los Angeles Angels due to a hip injury and a family matter. When healthy, Stassi will be working as the primary backup catcher in Chicago to Martin Maldonado, leaving him very little fantasy appeal in the deepest of two-catcher leagues. Stassi also doesn't have much power in his lumber at the catching position.
Chicago White Sox starting pitcher Erick Fedde took a line drive off his leg in his Spring Training start on Sunday, but shook it off and was able to continue. Fedde said after the game that it is a minor contusion and he will be good to go for his first start of the regular season next Sunday. The 31-year-old had a decent spring, pitching to a 3.86 ERA and 1.29 WHIP with eight strikeouts in 14 IP. He should be a good stop-gap for a White Sox team lacking in the pitching department. He might be a decent streamer on two-start weeks, but don't count on him for much.
Chicago White Sox starting pitcher Nick Nastrini appears to have the inside track to be the fifth starter to start the season after a solid Spring Training. Nastrini did get knocked around on Saturday, giving up seven runs (five earned) on five hits and five walks over 3 innings. Otherwise, though, Nastrini has been excellent this spring and is the best the White Sox have to offer. He doesn't need to be added in fantasy yet, but keep an eye on him in deeper leagues to see if he can continue his spring success.
Chicago White Sox shortstop Braden Shewmake (ankle) is back in the team's Cactus League lineup on Saturday against the Seattle Mariners, playing shortstop and batting ninth in the order. Shewmake has recovered quickly from the left-ankle sprain that he suffered last Sunday and is back in the spring lineup this weekend. The 26-year-old rookie make his big-league debut in 2023 with the Atlanta Braves but made only two appearances, going 0-for-4 at the plate with a strikeout. He was traded to the White Sox last November and should be able to win a bench spot on the Opening Day roster as long as he doesn't suffer a setback with his ankle in the next couple of days. Shewmake figures to serve as the primary backup at the 6 in Chicago this year behind Paul DeJong.