White Sox Rotation Chaos: Scrambling for Arms vs Cubs
White Sox Pitching Staff Running on Empty: What You Need to Know
Quick Summary: The Chicago White Sox pitchers are exhausted after a busy stretch of games. Their manager is taking things "day by day" to figure out who can throw next. Meanwhile, some injured players are getting closer to returning, and there’s news about where you can watch games on TV.
Why Are the Pitchers So Tired?
Imagine you just ran a marathon, and someone asks you to run another one tomorrow. That’s basically what’s happening to the White Sox pitching staff right now.
The Busy Schedule That Caused This Mess
- They just swept the Tigers (won all 3 games) over the weekend
- Friday: Used a "bullpen game" (multiple pitchers sharing the work instead of one starter)
- Saturday: Starter Anthony Kay only lasted 5⅓ innings
- Sunday: Starter Sean Burke only lasted 4⅓ innings
- No day off coming up: A makeup game against the Braves on Thursday replaces their scheduled rest day
- Next break: Not until August 27 — that’s almost two weeks away!
IMPORTANT: The team used their best relief pitchers heavily during the Tigers series. Now those pitchers need rest, but the schedule won’t give it to them.
Manager Will Venable’s "Win Today" Approach
Manager Will Venable has a simple philosophy: worry about today’s game first, figure out tomorrow later.
What Venable Said: "Obviously, we have to be mindful of what it means for the future. But the priority is to win the game today."
This explains why:
- They pushed their pitchers hard against the Tigers
- They haven’t announced starters for the rest of the Cubs series yet
- They’re waiting to see how pitchers recover after each game
What’s the Plan for the Cubs Series?
Game 2 (Tuesday): DECIDED
- Starter: Left-hander Bryan Hudson will "open" the game
- Note: "Opener" means he’ll pitch the first inning or two, then hand off to another pitcher
Game 3 (Wednesday): STILL A MYSTERY
Two main options are being considered:
| Pitcher | Role Recently | Why He Might Pitch |
|---|---|---|
| Erick Fedde | Moved to bullpen 2 weeks ago | Rested during Tigers series; can pitch multiple innings |
| Jose Urquidy | Pitched 3⅔ innings in Friday’s bullpen game | Already stretched out for longer outings |
Venable’s Exact Words: "I really don’t know. We really are day to day here with this, just because of the usage we have had over this last series."
Game 1 Recap (Monday Night)
- Starter Luis Castillo lasted only 4⅔ innings (allowed 4 runs, 3 earned)
- Result: Sox lost 7-5 in 10 innings at Wrigley Field
- Contrast: Last week Castillo pitched 7 scoreless innings against the Reds
Injury Updates: Good News Coming!
Kyle Teel (Catcher) — Getting Closer!
- Injury: Sprained left ankle (happened July 20 vs. Rangers)
- Progress: Taking batting practice, running at 80% speed for 2 weeks
- Timeline: 1-2 weeks away from a rehab assignment (practice games in minors)
- Big Test: How his ankle responds to running at full speed
- Roster Puzzle: When he returns, the Sox will have 3 catchers (Teel + current catchers + newly added veteran Jake Rogers)
Colson Montgomery (Shortstop) — Planned Day Off
- Why: "It was his turn for a break" — Venable wants to rotate rest days
- Interesting Timing: Montgomery was actually heating up (3-for-8 with a double, 3 RBIs in last 2 games)
- Fun Fact: He’s 1-for-2 with a home run against Cubs starter Shota Imanaga in his career
- Venable’s Take: "He’s fine… He was the one guy that was running hot for us. So I just wanted to give him a day."
Broadcast News: New Ways to Watch
- Prime Video Partnership: Chicago Sports Network’s direct-to-consumer streaming service (where you can watch Sox games) will now be available for purchase on Prime Video
- National TV Pickup: ESPN will broadcast the Sox’s day game on September 16 in Cleveland
Key Takeaways (The "Too Long; Didn’t Read" Version)
CALL OUT BOX — MOST IMPORTANT POINTS
- Pitching staff is exhausted — no day off until August 27
- Manager taking it "day by day" — no set rotation for rest of Cubs series
- Game 2 starter set: Bryan Hudson (lefty opener)
- Game 3 undecided: Fedde or Urquidy likely
- Kyle Teel progressing — 1-2 weeks from rehab games
- Colson Montgomery got planned rest despite recent hot streak
- New streaming option via Prime Video; ESPN game Sept 16
Summary
The White Sox are in a tough spot right now. Their pitchers worked overtime to sweep the Tigers, and the schedule isn’t giving them a break. Manager Will Venable is playing it by ear — using a "win today, worry tomorrow" strategy. They’ve named Bryan Hudson as Tuesday’s opener, but Wednesday’s plan depends entirely on how guys feel after Monday and Tuesday’s games.
On the bright side, catcher Kyle Teel is nearing a return from his ankle injury, and fans have new ways to watch games through Prime Video and ESPN. The team is managing a delicate balance: pushing to win now while trying not to break their pitchers for the rest of the season.
FAQ: Your Questions Answered
Q: What exactly is a "bullpen game"?
A: Instead of one starting pitcher trying to go 5-7 innings, the team uses 4-5 relief pitchers who each throw 1-2 innings. It’s like a relay race instead of a marathon runner.
Q: Why can’t they just call up more pitchers from the minor leagues?
A: They could, but: (1) MLB rules limit how many pitchers you can have on the active roster (usually 13), (2) minor leaguers need time to travel and get ready, and (3) the best minor league pitchers might not be ready for big league hitters yet.
Q: What does "opener" mean for Bryan Hudson?
A: An "opener" is a reliever who starts the game but only pitches the first inning or two. Then a "bulk guy" (like Fedde or Urquidy) comes in to pitch the middle innings. It’s a strategy to match up against the top of the opponent’s lineup.
Q: Why give Colson Montgomery a day off when he was playing well?
A: Baseball season is a marathon (162 games!). Managers schedule "maintenance days" to prevent fatigue and injuries — even for hot players. Think of it like resting your legs during a long hike so you don’t cramp up later.
Q: When Kyle Teel comes back, what happens to the other catchers?
A: Good question! Teams can only carry 26 players. With veteran Jake Rogers just added, someone would likely get sent to the minors, traded, or designated for assignment (removed from the 40-man roster). It’s a "good problem to have" but still a puzzle for the front office.
Stay tuned for daily updates — with this team right now, the pitching plan literally changes from morning to night!