Smith will begin the 2026 season with Triple-A Charlotte.
Smith had a strong showing this spring, striking out eight batters with one walk in 3.2 innings across three appearances. The quality of Smith's stuff is not in question, he just needs to throw enough strikes to start. Last year, the 6-foot-3 southpaw had a 3.57 ERA, 1.30 WHIP and 17.6 percent walk rate in 20 starts at Double-A. If he can come anywhere close to the 5.9 percent walk rate he logged this spring, Smith could be in the big-league rotation this summer.
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White Sox's Hagen Smith: Moved to minor-league camp
Rotowire
The White Sox reassigned Smith to minor-league camp Monday.
The 22-year-old southpaw will open the 2026 season in the minors, likely with Double-A Birmingham. That's where he spent all of last year, posting a 3-3 record across 20 starts with a 3.57 ERA, 1.30 WHIP and 108:56 K:BB across 75.2 innings. Per Kyle Williams of the Chicago Sun-Times, Smith will open the year in Triple-A and could make his major-league debut this season.
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White Sox's Hagen Smith: Returning to rotation at Double-A
Rotowire
Smith (elbow) will rejoin the rotation at Double-A Birmingham on Saturday, Scott Merkin of MLB.com reports.
It will be Smith's first start since May 10, as he has been sidelined with soreness in his pitching elbow. The fifth overall pick in the 2024 First-Year Player Draft, Smith holds a 2.10 ERA and 42:20 K:BB over 25.2 innings covering seven starts with Birmingham this season.
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White Sox's Hagen Smith: Slowed by elbow soreness
Rotowire
White Sox general manager Chris Getz said Friday that Smith has been sidelined recently by left elbow soreness, Scott Merkin of MLB.com reports.
Previous reports indicated Smith merely had some fatigue. The good news is an MRI on Smith's elbow came back clean, and the discomfort has subsided. Smith is expected to be cleared to play catch soon, but it's unclear when he might be ready to make a start. He's posted a 2.10 ERA and 42:20 K:BB over 25.2 innings covering seven starts this season with Double-A Birmingham.
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White Sox's Hagen Smith: Having start skipped
Rotowire
Smith was pulled early from his last outing with Double-A Birmingham and will have his next start skipped due to fluctuating velocity and signs of fatigue, Scott Merkin of MLB.com reports.
The White Sox are saying Smith is fine physically and this is more about simply managing his workload during his first full professional season. Smith has had control problems this season in issuing 20 walks over 25.2 innings, but he's still managed to post a 2.10 ERA while recording 42 strikeouts.
