MLB Player News

White Sox general manager Chris Getz said Friday that he expects one or both of Soroka (forearm) and Jared Shuster to open 2024 in the rotation, Vinnie Duber of AllCHGO.com reports.

Both players were acquired from Atlanta on Thursday in a deal which sent reliever Aaron Bummer the other way. The White Sox' rotation looks like one of the easiest to crack right now and the path would be further cleared if Dylan Cease is traded. Getz did note that he plans to acquire additional pitching help this winter, but Soroka has an early leg up for a spot as he tries to reestablish himself in his new surroundings. The right-hander ended the 2023 season on the injured list with forearm inflammation, but he could be ready for the start of spring training.

Shuster was traded from Atlanta to the White Sox on Thursday along with Michael Soroka (forearm), Braden Shewmake, Nicky Lopez and Riley Gowens in exchange for Aaron Bummer.

Atlanta cleared out spots on its 40-man roster with the move, though the exchange could also benefit Shuster. He made his big-league debut in 2023 as a spot starter and struggled to a 5.81 ERA and 1.50 WHIP with a 30:26 K:BB across 52.2 innings. Despite a track record of success in the minors, Shuster likely would have been a longshot to break camp in the majors with Atlanta as a result of his struggles, but he should have a more substantial opportunity to make a big-league impact with his new club in 2024.

Soroka (forearm) was traded from Atlanta to the White Sox on Thursday along with Jared Shuster, Braden Shewmake, Nicky Lopez and Riley Gowens in exchange for Aaron Bummer.

Soroka was placed on the injured list Sept. 6 with a forearm injury, though surgery was not required. That came after multiple Achilles injuries, which combined to limit him to only 37.2 total innings from 2020 to 2022 before being mostly healthy last season prior to the forearm issue. Soroka could push for a back-end rotation spot with the White Sox out of spring training.

The Guardians selected Espino (shoulder) to their 40-man roster Tuesday.

Espino missed all of 2023 due to a shoulder issue which eventually led to anterior capsule repair surgery, but he ranked as one of the top pitching prospects in all of baseball before that injury arose. The 22-year-old right-hander appears on track to return to live games around the middle of the 2024 campaign.

Quantrill was designated for assignment by the Guardians on Tuesday.

Qunatrill was a reliable member of Cleveland's starting rotation between 2021-22 before stumbling to a 5.24 ERA, 1.47 WHIP and 58:35 K:BB over 99.2 innings in 2023. The 28-year-old right-hander can elect free agency if he passes through waivers unclaimed and would actually probably do quite well for himself in this pitching-thin market.

The Red Sox selected Gonzalez to their 40-man roster Tuesday, Mac Cerullo of the Boston Herald reports.

The 21-year-old right-hander worked to a 3.96 ERA and 168:70 K:BB over 111.1 innings (25 starts) this past season between High-A Greenville and Double-A Portland. Gonzalez needs to rein in his command, but the raw swing-and-miss stuff is certainly enticing and he is now protected from being plucked away by another organization in next month's Rule 5 Draft.

The Tigers selected Flores to their 40-man roster Tuesday.

Flores is now protected from selection in next month's Rule 5 Draft, though he's likely still far away from making his major-league debut. The 22-year-old right-hander posted a 4.65 ERA and 90:33 K:BB in 89 innings (21 starts) this past season between High-A West Michigan and Double-A Erie.

The Red Sox selected Perales to their 40-man roster Tuesday, Chris Cotillo of The Springfield Republican reports.

Perales is only 20 years old and still pretty far away from reaching the majors, but Boston has opted to protect him from being plucked away in next month's Rule 5 Draft. The young right-hander posted a 3.91 ERA and 115:50 K:BB over 89.2 innings (21 starts) this past season between Low-A Salem and High-A Greenville.

The Blue Jays selected Macko to their 40-man roster Tuesday.

Macko is now protected from selection in next month's Rule 5 Draft. The 22-year-old left-hander registered a 4.81 ERA, 1.35 WHIP and 106:40 K:BB over 86 innings (20 starts) this past season with High-A Vancouver.

The White Sox selected Mena to their 40-man roster Tuesday, Vinnie Duber of AllCHGO.com reports.

Mena is now protected from next month's Rule 5 Draft. He held a 4.85 ERA, 1.41 WHIP and 156:64 K:BB in 133.2 innings this past season between Double-A Birmingham and Triple-A Charlotte.