White Sox's Sean Burke: Dominates Yankees in long-relief
Rotowire
Burke (4-4) earned the win Thursday against the Yankees, allowing one run on five hits and one walk while striking out eight over 7.1 innings.
After opener Bryan Hudson tossed 1.2 scoreless innings, Burke carried the bulk of the workload and finished the game, with the lone blemish on his line coming via a Ryan McMahon solo homer in the third inning. The right-hander was dominant Thursday, generating a whopping 20 whiffs and an elite 39.2 percent whiff rate. His eight strikeouts matched a season high and were especially encouraging given his recent inconsistency, as he entered Thursday with a 5.82 ERA over his previous seven appearances. Burke now owns a 3.89 ERA, 1.22 WHIP and 81:29 K:BB across 81 innings this season and is scheduled to face Cleveland at home in his next outing.
... See More... See Less
White Sox's Sean Burke: Slated to follow opener
Rotowire
Burke will be used in a bulk-relief role Thursday against the Yankees.
The White Sox are going with the left-handed Bryan Hudson as an opener before turning to a righty in Burke. The 26-year-old has fared quite well this season when used in a bulk-relief role, collecting a 2.04 ERA, 0.85 WHIP and 18:5 K:BB over 17.2 frames.
... See More... See Less
White Sox's Sean Burke: Wild in loss Saturday
Rotowire
Burke (3-4) took the loss against the Dodgers on Saturday, allowing four runs on six hits and five walks while striking out six batters over four innings.
After working behind an opener in his previous appearance last Saturday, Burke went back to a starting role against Los Angeles. That didn't work out for the White Sox, as the right-hander yielded three runs on a pair of homers in the first inning and four runs overall across four frames. Burke struggled with his control, throwing just 49 of 92 pitches for strikes and tying a season-worst mark with five free passes. He previously posted that mark in his bulk-relief appearance just last Saturday, so Burke has really struggled to throw strikes of late, though he's also punched out at least six batters in four straight outings. He'll look to get back on track in his next start, which is scheduled to come at Detroit.
... See More... See Less
White Sox's Sean Burke: Earns win in bulk relief
Rotowire
Burke (3-3) earned the win against the Phillies on Saturday, allowing three runs on three hits and five walks with seven strikeouts over 4.1 innings.
Burke was actually the only White Sox pitcher to allow a run on Saturday, but he was spotted an early lead and did enough to earn the win in bulk relief. The 26-year-old issued a season-high five walks and allowed two homers, but he has now tallied at least five strikeouts in five straight outings. He'll carry a 3.88 ERA, 1.18 WHIP and 67:23 K:BB across 69.2 innings into a tough home matchup against the Dodgers next weekend.
... See More... See Less
White Sox's Sean Burke: Working behind opener Saturday
Rotowire
Burke is expected to pitch in bulk relief behind opener Brandon Eisert during Saturday's game in Philadelphia, Brooke Fletcher of Chicago Sports Network reports.
The top half of the Philadelphia lineup often features three tough left-handed hitters in Kyle Schwarber, Bryce Harper and Brandon Marsh, so the White Sox will have the left-handed Eisert open the contest in an effort to avoid an early deficit. Once Eisert works the first inning or two, Burke should take over in relief and handle something close to the workload he would typically handle as a starter. The right-hander has been solid out of the front end of the Chicago rotation this season, delivering a 3.72 ERA, 1.13 WHIP and 60:18 K:BB in 65.1 innings across 12 appearances (10 starts).
... See More... See Less
White Sox's Sean Burke: Posts quality start in no-decision
Rotowire
Burke didn't factor into the decision Tuesday against the Twins after allowing two runs on three hits and two walks across seven innings. He struck out eight.
Burke finally pitched past the fifth inning -- something he hadn't accomplished since May 2 -- and delivered a strong outing, matching his previous season-high mark in strikeouts. The lack of consistency has been an issue for Burke, but it's worth noting he has allowed two or fewer runs in five of his last seven starts. A couple of subpar outings have saddled him with a 4.78 ERA in May. Burke, who has a 3.90 ERA and 1.15 WHIP across 11 appearances (nine starts) this season, is scheduled to make his next start over the weekend at home against the Tigers.
... See More... See Less
White Sox's Sean Burke: Saddled with loss Friday
Rotowire
Burke (2-3) took the loss against the Mariners on Friday, giving up six earned runs on six hits and two walks while striking out four batters over 4.1 innings.
The right-hander's first bases-loaded jam resulted in just one run scoring after he hit Cole Young with a pitch in the second inning. Burke wasn't as fortunate in the third, as Luke Raley unloaded the bases with a 372-foot grand slam into right field. Chicago's offense tied the game the next half inning, but Julio Rodriguez's solo shot in the fifth put Burke back on the hook for the loss. Now sporting a 3.68 ERA and 1.09 WHIP across 44 innings through his first eight starts, Burke will look to take advantage of a matchup against a low-scoring Royals offense during his next outing.
... See More... See Less
White Sox's Sean Burke: Working in bulk relief Sunday
Rotowire
Burke is expected to serve as a bulk reliever behind opening pitcher Bryan Hudson in Sunday's game against the Nationals at Rate Field, Scott Merkin of MLB.com reports.
Burke will be working behind an opener for the second time this season, after he previously covered six innings out of the bullpen in an April 3 win over the Blue Jays. By having the left-handed Hudson open the game, the White Sox will allow the right-handed Burke to begin his appearance with some easier matchups rather than having to face James Wood and CJ Abrams right off the bat.
... See More... See Less
White Sox's Sean Burke: Tagged with loss Wednesday
Rotowire
Burke (0-2) was tagged with the loss Wednesday against the Rays after allowing four runs on seven hits and three walks across 5.1 innings. He struck out two.
Burke looked in cruise control early on, but he gave up homers to Junior Caminero and Jake Fraley, as well as an RBI double to Jonathan Aranda, en route to his second loss of the season. The 26-year-old right-hander has completed at least six innings in just one of his four starts and has allowed 11 runs (10 earned) in 20.1 frames, so he's far from being a reliable option in most formats, although the 17:6 K:BB does give him some appeal as a low-end starting option. Still, it's hard to trust Burke to pitch deep into games, which limits his upside considerably.
... See More... See Less
White Sox's Sean Burke: CWS-TOR postponed Thursday
Rotowire
Burke won't start Thursday against the Blue Jays after the game was postponed to Friday due to a forecast of inclement weather in Chicago.
The White Sox are likely to push Burke and the rest of their rotation back a day as a result of the postponement, so the right-hander should still be lined up to start the team's home opener Friday.
... See More... See Less
White Sox's Sean Burke: Strikes out 10 in bulk role
Rotowire
Burke did not factor into the decision Saturday against the Nationals, allowing two runs on three hits and a walk across 4.1 relief innings. He struck out 10.
Working in a bulk role, Burke logged a season-high 10 punchouts while allowing just a pair of runs on a Daylen Lile homer. The 25-year-old Burke was solid down the stretch, posting a 3.65 ERA over his last three appearances (12.1 innings). He'll finish the year at 4-11 with a 4.29 ERA, 1.45 WHIP and 133 strikeouts across 134.1 innings.
... See More... See Less
White Sox's Sean Burke: Fans four in loss
Rotowire
Burke (4-11) yielded three runs (two earned) on six hits over four innings Sunday, striking out four and taking a loss against the Padres.
Burke coughed up a pair of runs in the second inning before serving up a solo homer to Fernando Tatis in the third. It was Burke's fifth straight outing of fewer than five innings pitched. On the bright side, he did not walk a batter Sunday after issuing 12 free passes over 15.1 frames in his previous four starts. He now owns a 4.29 ERA with a 123:62 K:BB through 130 innings this season. Burke's final start of 2025 is projected to be in Washington next weekend.
... See More... See Less
White Sox's Sean Burke: Handling starting role Sunday
Rotowire
Burke is slated to start Sunday's game against the Padres in Chicago.
Burke was deployed in bulk relief in his most recent appearance Monday in a 4-1 loss to the Orioles, covering four frames while striking out four and allowing one earned run on two hits and four walks. He'll return to a more traditional starting role Sunday for the White Sox's final home game of the season and will line up for a final turn through the rotation next weekend in Washington.
... See More... See Less
White Sox's Sean Burke: Tosses four frames in bulk role
Rotowire
Burke allowed a run on two hits and four walks while striking out four over four innings in Monday's 4-1 loss to the Orioles.
Tyler Gilbert opened for Burke, who worked through traffic and limited the damage to just one run, his first outing holding opponents to a single score since July 2. The right-hander hasn't been flashy but has taken the ball consistently for the White Sox, posting a 4.29 ERA and 1.47 WHIP across 126 innings in 26 appearances, 21 of which have been starts.
... See More... See Less
White Sox's Sean Burke: Strikes out five in no-decision
Rotowire
Burke didn't factor into the decision Wednesday against the Rays, allowing three runs on five hits and four walks in 4.1 innings. He struck out five.
Burke continues to struggle providing length, failing to reach five innings in five of his last six major-league starts. The right-hander has managed to yield fewer than six hits in each of those outings, though he's issued multiple walks in four of them. Burke has a 4.28 ERA, 1.47 WHIP and 115:58 K:BB over 122 frames overall, and he'll be looking to work deeper into his outing in his next scheduled turn in the rotation against the last-place Orioles.
... See More... See Less
White Sox's Sean Burke: Sent down to minors
Rotowire
The White Sox optioned Burke to Triple-A Charlotte on Monday.
Burke has posted a disappointing 4.28 ERA and 1.44 WHIP across 117.2 innings this season and had failed to go five frames in four of his last five outings. The White Sox remain hopeful that Burke will be a long-term fixture in their rotation, but the righty will attempt to work on his issues in a less pressurized environment for now. Martin Perez will likely slide into Chicago's rotation in Burke's place.
... See More... See Less
White Sox's Sean Burke: Falls apart late
Rotowire
Burke didn't factor into the decision Sunday against the Angels, allowing three runs on five hits and two walks over five-plus innings. He struck out seven.
Burke blanked the Halos through five innings, but he got into trouble immediately in the sixth inning. He allowed a solo homer to Zach Neto and then allowed a single, double and single to consecutive batters. Burke was pulled following the second single, but a runner he had put on scored later in the inning on a wild pitch. The 25-year-old hasn't completed more than five innings in five consecutive outings, but he's fanned more than six batters in back-to-back appearances. On the year, Burke has a 4.23 ERA and a 100:50 K:BB across 110.2 innings. He's tentatively scheduled to face the Guardians next weekend.
... See More... See Less
White Sox's Sean Burke: Fans eight in bulk role
Rotowire
Burke conceded two runs on five hits and one walk over 4.2 innings while not factoring into the decision in Sunday's 5-4 loss to the Cubs. He struck out eight.
Burke followed rookie opener Grant Taylor in the series finale. The 25-year-old righty managed to generate a solid 14 whiffs out of 91 total pitches to notch a season-high eight punchouts. Burke, who has tossed 101 innings this season, is rapidly approaching his career high in innings pitched, as his previous best came in 2022 when he fired 108 frames across three minor-league levels. Accordingly, the White Sox will likely find creative ways to manage his usage going forward. The former Maryland Terrapin will carry a 4.17 ERA, 1.41 WHIP and 93:48 K:BB into his next appearance -- whether Burke will start or follow an opener is unknown -- at the Angels next weekend.
... See More... See Less
White Sox's Sean Burke: Settles for no-decision
Rotowire
Burke did not factor into the decision Saturday, allowing two runs on three hits and two walks over five innings against the Guardians. He struck out five.
Burke wasn't dominant but did well enough to keep the Guardians in check before turning things over to the bullpen. The right-hander now holds a 4.36 ERA and 1.40 WHIP across 97 innings in 19 appearances, including 16 starts, this season.
... See More... See Less
White Sox's Sean Burke: Following opener Wednesday
Rotowire
Burke will pitch in bulk relief behind opening pitcher Brandon Eisert in Wednesday's game against the Dodgers, Scott Merkin of MLB.com reports.
The Dodgers typically have two left-handed hitters (Shohei Ohtani and Freddie Freeman) in the top four spots in the order, so the White Sox will likely have the left-handed Eisert work the opening frame or two before turning the game over to the right-handed Burke. The 25-year-old has previously worked as a bulk reliever April 25 against the Athletics and May 30 against the Orioles, covering 11.1 innings between those appearances while striking out 11 and yielding six runs (five earned) on 10 hits and three walks.
