You know what’s a dead giveaway that Rick Hahn has no interest in trying to have the 2019 White Sox compete for a Wild Card spot? The starting rotation. Even before Carlos Rodon had to undergo Tommy John surgery, the fifth spot in the rotation was just a revolving door, while Ivan Nova and Reynaldo Lopez have been two of the worst starters in MLB.
Ervin Santana, Manny Bañuelos, Dylan Covey and Odrisamer Despaigne have combined to make 21 of the team’s 75 starts this season and it looks like another castaway will get a chance to win a starting rotation spot.
Almost two weeks ago, the Mets DFA’d Hector Santiago and then he became a free agent.
A couple days later, the White Sox signed Santiago to a minor-league deal.
The 31-year-old made his MLB debut in 2011, with the White Sox and also returned to the team in 2018.
On Monday, the White Sox DFA’d Despaigne, which means they currently have two open spots in the starting rotation. Santiago might be the newest starting pitcher for the 2019 White Sox.
The White Sox have days off on Wednesday and next Monday, so they could skip one spot in the rotation and go with a four-man rotation.
In his career, Santiago has made 137 starts and has recorded a 4.19 ERA in 728.1 innings. However, from 2016-18, Santiago has struggled in 54 starts, posting a 5.04 ERA and 1.43 WHIP with the Angels, Twins and White Sox.
But before Santiago gets a shot (maybe) the White Sox could just plug Covey back in the rotation. He’s been out with a shoulder injury and threw a bullpen session on Sunday.
Real desperate times for the White Sox when Dylan Covey is your best option to fill a rotation spot.
As for Dylan Cease, he’s hit the same mid-season road block that Michael Kopech had last year.
Cease will be called up by the White Sox this summer, but it’ll most likely be after the All-Star Game.
