2021 White Sox: Where are they now?

With the White Sox poised to spend yet another season as the punchline of Major League Baseball, it's hard to believe they are only four years removed from being American League Central Division champions.

Yes, the 2021 Sox were a one-ply roster. They were not built for long-term success, regardless of what the talking heads in the organization sold you, and it was no surprise that they did not win a playoff round.

Still, the fall from a 93-69 season has been steep, and most of the players from that postseason-qualifying team are gone. Many of them have fallen on rough times. Here's a look at where key players from that team are heading into the 2025 season:

Yasmani Grandal, C: The 36-year-old batted .228 with nine homers and 27 RBIs last year for the Pittsburgh Pirates. He remains a free agent heading into spring training.

Jose Abreu, 1B: The 38-year-old left the Sox after the 2022 season and signed a three-year, $60 million contract with the Houston Astros. But he didn't make it through the second season. The Astros designated Abreu for assignment in 2024, when he batting .124 with only two homers in 35 games. He hasn't officially retired. He's a free agent, but his career might be over.

Cesar Hernandez, 2B: Hernandez last played in the majors in 2022 with the Washington Nationals.

Tim Anderson, SS: The Sox let their former batting champion go after he slumped to a .245 average with only one homer in 2023. Things did not improve for Anderson in 2024, as he batted .214 with no home runs in 65 games with Miami Marlins. He was designated for assignment midseason. He's signed a minor league contract with the Los Angeles Angels this offseason.

Yoan Moncada, 3B: Injuries limited Moncada to only 12 games in the 2024 season. The Sox understandably tired of him and declined his contract option for the 2025 season. Unlike some of his former teammates in Chicago, Moncada has a guaranteed major league contract for this year. He's with the Angels on a one-year prove-it deal worth $5 million.

Eloy Jimenez, LF/DH: The Sox were lucky to find a taker for Jimenez at the trade deadline last season, but his struggles continued with the Baltimore Orioles. He batted just .232 with a homer and seven RBIs in 33 games. The lack of power is notable -- Jimenez totaled only six home runs in 98 games between Chicago and Baltimore. He'll be with the Tampa Bay Rays on a minor league deal this spring.

Luis Robert Jr., CF: Hey, someone who is still with the Sox! For now. Robert is coming off a terrible season that saw his home run total slip from 38 to 14, and his OPS slip from .857 to .657. Ouch. The Sox are hoping he can stay healthy the first half of the season and regain some value, so they can deal him for futures at the trade deadline this summer.

Leury Garcia, Utility: The three-year contract former GM Rick Hahn gave Garcia after the 2021 season is finally off the books. Garcia hasn't played for the Sox since being designated for assignment in spring training 2023, before the second year of his deal even started. As a matter of fact, Garcia hasn't played in the majors since he left the Sox. He was in the Atlanta Braves organization last year. He's currently a free agent. 

Lucas Giolito, SP: Giolito has fallen on hard times since he left the Sox. He had a 6.89 ERA in six starts with the Angels. Then he went to the Cleveland Guardians and a had 7.04 ERA in six starts there. He missed the 2024 season with an arm injury after signing with the Boston Red Sox. He is expected to pitch for Boston in 2025.

Dylan Cease, SP: The Sox traded Cease in spring training 2024, and he made 33 starts for a playoff team, going 14-11 with a 3.47 ERA with the San Diego Padres. He pitched a no-hitter during the 2024 season. He has one year remaining on his contract with San Diego.

Carlos Rodon, SP: Rodon left Chicago in free agency after the 2021 season. He went 14-8 with a 2.88 ERA in 2022 with the San Francisco Giants, then hit the open market again and cashed in big. He's entering the third year of a six-year contract with the New York Yankees that will pay him $162 million over the life of the deal. He was a 16-game winner with AL champion New York last season.

Lance Lynn, SP: The Sox traded Lynn to the Los Angeles Dodgers during the middle of the 2023 season. He then signed with the St. Louis Cardinals in free agency, where he went 7-4 in 23 starts in 2024. The 37-year-old is looking for a team again this offseason. Despite a decent campaign last year, he remains a free agent.

Dallas Keuchel, SP: The veteran lefty started the 2022 season by going 2-5 with a 7.88 ERA in his first eight starts. The Sox decided to eat his contract, and Keuchel has since been roaming aimlessly around the league. He has since pitched ineffectively for Arizona, Texas, Minnesota and Milwaukee. He's now under contract with the Chiba Lotte Marines of the Nippon Professional Baseball League.

Liam Hendriks, Closer: Hendriks just turned 36 on Monday, and his story is familiar to fans. He beat cancer in early 2023 and returned to the mound to make five relief appearances with the Sox. Alas, he blew out his arm and needed Tommy John surgery. The Sox bought his contract out after the 2023 season, and he signed a two-year deal with the Boston Red Sox. He didn't pitch in 2024, but is expected back for the second season of his contract this year.

It's remarkable how quickly these guys have all scattered to the wind, isn't it?

White Sox avoid arbitration with 5 players

Dylan Cease

As you may recall, the White Sox began the offseason with eight arbitration-eligible players.

They reduced that number to five by non-tendering infielder Danny Mendick and outfielder Adam Engel, and outrighting relief pitcher Kyle Crick.

Mendick signed with the New York Mets. Engel is now a member of the San Diego Padres. Crick remains a free agent.

Here's a look at the other five players who are still with the Sox and have their 2023 salary settled, after agreements were announced last Friday:

1. Dylan Cease. In his first year of arbitration eligibility, Cease will make $5.7 million, which is slightly higher than the MLB Trade Rumors projection of $5.3 million. The right-hander is coming off a season in which he finished second in the AL Cy Young award voting. Cease went 14-8 with a 2.20 ERA and a career-best 227 strikeouts in 32 starts and 184 innings pitched. Last year's AL Cy Young award winner, Justin Verlander, has since signed with a National League team, so Cease enters 2023 on the short list of preseason Cy Young award candidates.

2. Lucas Giolito. Giolito is in his last year of arbitration eligibility, and his $10.4 million 2023 salary is probably less than he envisioned for himself at this time. His MLB Trade Rumors projection was $10.8 million. However, the right-hander is coming off a down 2022 season. He was 11-9 with a 4.90 ERA in his 30 starts, a profile that is less than league average. Giolito had finished sixth, seventh and 11th in the Cy Young voting the previous three seasons, so 2022 was a huge step back for him. This coming season is a crucial year for him. He's a free agent next offseason, and his future earnings hinge on his performance in 2023.

3. Reynaldo Lopez. After three years of inconsistent performance, mostly as a starting pitcher, Lopez carved a niche in the Sox bullpen in 2022. He appeared in 61 games, going 6-4 with a 2.76 ERA across 65.1 innings pitched. Aside from closer Liam Hendriks, Lopez was probably the most reliable relief pitcher the Sox had last season. For his efforts, he'll earn $3.625 million in 2023, beating the MLB Trade Rumors projection of $3.3 million. With Hendriks sidelined indefinitely after being diagnosed with non-Hodgkin lymphoma, Lopez is among the candidates to close games for the Sox this season.

4. Michael Kopech. The 26-year-old Kopech is kind of like the new version of Carlos Rodon, only right-handed. We know he's a good pitcher -- when he's actually available -- but will he be healthy? Kopech managed to make 25 starts in 2022, going 5-9 with a 3.54 ERA across 119.1 innings. However, he battled a right-knee injury throughout the season, which required surgery. His availability is in doubt for Opening Day, with the Sox expressing hope that he'll be "ready to throw about 85 pitches" in a game by late March. His 2023 salary will be $2.05 million, below the MLB Trade Rumors projection of $2.2 million. If Kopech ever puts it together, he's a bargain.

5. Jose Ruiz. Give credit to Ruiz, because he's yet to fall off the roster despite being out of options for the past two years. He made 59 appearances in 2021 and 63 appearances in 2022. He was 1-0 with a 4.60 ERA in 60.2 innings of mostly low-leverage work last season. Ruiz has never done particularly well when entrusted with a clutch late-inning situation, but he's held his roster spot by chewing up innings in lopsided games. His salary in 2023 will be $925,000, less than the $1 million projected by MLB Trade Rumors. Odds are Ruiz will hang on the roster for another season. Unlike some of his bullpen brethren, he has a habit of being healthy and available. As we've noted before, availability is a skill, and it's been in short supply for many Sox players over the past two years.

The total outlay for the Sox in arbitration this year? It's $22.7 million. It's looking as though their payroll is right about $180 million, assuming no further additions. The Opening Day payroll last year was $193 million. Do with that information what you will.

Carlos Rodon joining Yankees on 6-year contract

Carlos Rodon

Former White Sox left-hander Carlos Rodon on Thursday agreed to a six-year, $162 million contract with the New York Yankees.

My first thought was, "Didn't Rodon always pitch well against the Yankees?"

The answer to that is, yes, he did, especially at Yankee Stadium. As pointed out by Chris Kamka on Twitter, Rodon has made four career starts in the Bronx. He's 3-0 with a 2.16 ERA.

But perhaps his most memorable outing was his no-decision, which came on May 21, 2021. Rodon went six shutout innings, allowing only two hits. He struck out 13(!) and walked none. Of course, the Sox found a way to lose that game, 2-1, because neither Michael Kopech nor Evan Marshall pitched well in relief.

That particular game served notice that Rodon was healthy and operating at his peak power, and he's been mostly good ever since. His one season in San Francisco turned out well -- 14-8 with a 2.88 ERA in a career-high 31 starts. He finished sixth in the 2022 NL Cy Young voting.

Of course, health will always be the question with Rodon. When he pitches, he's good. However, he's probably a bad bet to make it through a six-year contract without landing on the injured list a few times.

That said, if Rodon makes it to October 2023 in one piece, the Yankees finally have a legitimate No. 2 starter to pair with Gerrit Cole. That increases their odds of finally getting past the Houston Astros in the American League playoffs.

I would call this move "high-risk, high-reward" for the Yankees, but given their position, it's the right gamble to take.

Carlos Rodon signs two-year deal with San Francisco Giants

Carlos Rodon

Left-handed pitcher Carlos Rodon officially parted ways with the White Sox on Friday, agreeing to a two-year, $44 million contract with the San Francisco Giants.

Rodon, 29, is coming off the best season of his seven-year career, all of which has been spent with the Sox. In 2021, he went 13-5 with a 2.37 ERA in 24 starts, earned the first All-Star appearance of his career and pitched a no-hitter against the Cleveland Indians on April 14. He finished fifth in the AL Cy Young Award voting.

Still, injuries plagued Rodon, limiting him to just seven starts (including one in the postseason) after Aug. 1. Health has been a problem for the veteran left-hander throughout his career. He pitched 132.2 innings last season, which doesn't seem like a lot, but it's actually good by Rodon's standards. That was his highest total of innings pitched since 2016, when he threw a career-best 165 innings.

Perhaps it was those durability concerns that led the Sox to not offer Rodon the one-year, $18.4 million qualifying offer before the start of the lockout.

Turns out, that decision by the Sox worked in Rodon's favor, as he received more on the open market. The Giants will pay him $21.5 million in 2022, and $22.5 million in 2023. The deal has an opt-out clause that can be activated after this season.

My reaction: I'm glad Rodon did not sign anywhere else in the AL Central, especially with the pitching-starved Minnesota Twins. I'm also glad he did not sign with the crosstown Cubs. History tells us he will deal with injuries again, but when he's healthy enough to pitch, he can be very effective.

Last season, he was the best pitcher in the AL the first half of the season. It won't be easy to replace those 132.2 quality innings. But, with Rodon in San Francisco, Sox fans can still cheer for him if he does well, because any success he has in the NL West is unlikely to bring harm to the Sox.

No doubt, the Sox front office will receive some criticism for not tendering Rodon a qualifying offer, as the team now will not receive any draft pick compensation.

Right now, the Sox rotation looks like this: Lucas Giolito, Lance Lynn, Dylan Cease, Dallas Keuchel and Michael Kopech. If anyone gets injured, Reynaldo Lopez is the next man up. We'll see if there are any further additions now that the lockout has been lifted.

Top 5 White Sox moments for 2021

Tim Anderson

What's a new year without a list recapping the year that just ended, right? And with the Major League Baseball lockout droning on with no end in sight, we don't have much else to discuss.

So, let's ring in 2022 by looking back at my five favorite White Sox moments of 2021. Let me know if I've missed anything important:

5. Jose Abreu's mad dash to the plate: Maybe I remember this one more than most people because I was at this game, but it might have been the single most exciting play of the season that wasn't a home run. The Sox scored two runs in the bottom of the ninth to rally for a 4-3 win over the Kansas City Royals. The fourth and game-winning run was scored with two outs, when Abreu dashed down the line from third base on a very short wild pitch by Kansas City reliever Wade Davis. Abreu somehow got around the tag of Royals catcher Cam Gallagher, hitting his hand on the plate as he slid by. After a lengthy video review, the call on the field was confirmed: safe. The whole thing was so improbable, because when Abreu took off, it looks as if he would be out by 10 feet. 

4. Brian Goodwin's bat flip for the ages: The second-place Cleveland Indians came to Chicago on July 30 trailing the Sox by eight games in the American League Central Division. There was a feeling the Indians needed to take two out of three -- if not sweep -- in order to have a legitimate chance to make the Central a race. The teams split the first two games, and the Sunday finale was a tight affair throughout. The score was 1-1 going into the ninth inning, and Goodwin won the game for the Sox with a solo home run off Cleveland reliever Nick Wittgren. Goodwin punctuated his blast by flipping his bat toward the Cleveland dugout, about 30 feet up in the air. That was Aug. 1, and the Sox had a nine-game lead. This was the moment where you felt the Sox had the division in hand -- for me, it was more enjoyable than the day the Sox clinched, because September was a foregone conclusion. 

3. Leury Garcia's home run in Game 3 of the ALDS: Some people might have this as their best moment of the season -- especially if they were lucky enough to be at this game, which I was. The Sox, of course, had lost the first two games of the series against the Houston Astros, and they were facing elimination. There was definitely a feeling of impending doom at Guaranteed Rate Field after the Astros jumped out to an early 5-1 lead in the third inning of Game 3. But the Sox responded with five runs in the bottom of the third, capped by an improbable 3-run homer to deep center field by Garcia. The blast gave the Sox a 6-5 lead, and they survived for one more game by securing a 12-6 victory. When Garcia's ball left the park, that was the loudest I've ever heard the ballpark (note, I did not attend 2005 World Series Game 2). And I've never seen so much high-priced beer flying through the air during a home run celebration. Of course, Game 3 would be the last Sox victory of 2021. They lost the series in four games. Had that home run actually flipped the outcome of the series, this would be higher on my list.

2. Carlos Rodon pitches a no-hitter: I'll be honest -- I didn't really want Rodon back on the Sox after watching him labor through four consecutive injury-plagued seasons. But the veteran left-hander quickly quieted me and other critics by getting the 2021 season off to a great start. Rodon pitched a no-hitter in his second start of the season, April 14 against the Cleveland Indians. And frankly, this was really damn close to being a perfect game. Rodon retired the first 25 batters he faced before hitting Cleveland catcher Roberto Perez in the toe with a back-foot slider with one out in the top of the ninth. That spoiled the perfect game, before Rodon recovered to retire the next two batters and secure the no-hitter and an 8-0 victory. Injuries once again hindered Rodon the second half of the season, but I don't think any Sox fan can complain about the 24 starts he made in 2021. Rodon went 13-5 with a 2.37 ERA, made the All-Star team and provided fans with one of the most memorable performances of the entire season on a chilly night in April.

1. Tim Anderson walks it off in the Field of Dreams Game: If there's a single moment from the 2021 White Sox season that everyone will remember, it's got to be this, right? The Field of Dreams Game was the most-watched baseball telecast in 15 years, and the heavyweight fight between the Sox and the New York Yankees did not disappoint. The Yankees scored four runs in the top of the ninth inning off Liam Hendriks to turn a 7-4 Sox lead into an 8-7 deficit. It looked as if the Sox were going to suffer one of their most frustrating losses of the season in the most high profile of games. But Anderson changed the narrative. After Seby Zavala took a walk, Anderson drove a pitch from New York's Zach Britton over the fence in right field and into the corn for a two-run homer to give the Sox an improbable 9-8 victory. It was kind of funny that Anderson was on the record as not having seen the movie "Field of Dreams," yet he ended up being the hero and providing the signature moment of the game. MLB is doing another such game next season -- it will feature the Cubs and the Cincinnati Reds. Good luck duplicating the drama and excitement from this Sox-Yankees matchup.

Rick Hahn's makes uninspiring comments hours before lockout

Rick Hahn

The lockout has begun in Major League Baseball. The sport is now in the midst of its first work stoppage in 26 years. 

I personally don't have a lot of interest in blogging about collective bargaining. It's exhausting listening to both sides try to win a public relations war, and like most fans, I just want it resolved so we can have a 162-game season in 2022.

There was a free agent frenzy in the days leading up to the lockout, with a lot of big names agreeing to contracts: Corey Seager (Rangers), Max Scherzer (Mets), Marcus Semien (Rangers), Robbie Ray (Mariners), Kevin Gausman (Blue Jays), Javier Baez (Tigers), Marcus Stroman (Cubs), Starling Marte (Mets) and Chris Taylor (Dodgers), to name a few.

Noticeably quiet during the activity ... the White Sox, who retained utility player Leury Garcia and added reliever Kendall Graveman to the bullpen. Serviceable moves. Both Garcia and Graveman are useful, but neither is the type of player who makes you believe the Sox have a higher ceiling than they've had in the past.

As the lockout begins, and rosters are frozen, the Sox still have gaping holes at second base and in right field. They could probably use another starting pitcher and another relief arm, knowing that Carlos Rodon and Ryan Tepera are free agents. Those two productive pitchers are likely to sign elsewhere, whenever the lockout ends.

General manager Rick Hahn held a press conference Wednesday before the lockout began, and he came off as rather defensive about the lack of a marquee move.

“You can't lose sight of the fact we have a damn good team,” Hahn said Wednesday afternoon on a Zoom call. “We are in a position to compete for a championship next year and beyond by what we have been able to do over the last several years. We have MVP and Silver Slugger candidates throughout that lineup. They are all controllable for an extended period of time thanks to some foresight and proactive work on our end. We also have Cy Young candidates throughout that rotation."

Hahn seems to be in love with his own creation. He thinks the team is better than it is, and it's disappointing that the Sox haven't acted yet to give themselves an improved chance of not only "competing" for a championship in 2022, but also actually winning it.

MVP and Silver Slugger candidates throughout the lineup? Ehh, spare me. The Sox did not have a single player win a Silver Slugger in 2021. And Jose Abreu was the only player to receive an MVP vote -- he finished 14th after appearing eighth on one ballot and ninth on another for a total of five points.

Cy Young candidates throughout the rotation? Well, let's be fair to Hahn -- the pitching was good in 2021, at least during the regular season. Lance Lynn was third in the Cy Young voting, Rodon fifth, Liam Hendriks eighth and Lucas Giolito 11th. 

So, while there may not be Cy Young candidates "throughout the rotation," there are two of them there in Lynn and Giolito. But I don't expect to see Rodon in a Sox uniform next season. I like Michael Kopech, but I'm not convinced that he'll finish in the top five of the Cy Young voting, as Rodon did. It will, after all, be Kopech's first season in a major league rotation.

And Hendriks, yeah, he's the best reliever in the American League, but the concerns in the bullpen are more along the lines of setup relief. The closer situation looks good.

There is really only one thing I can agree with Hahn on right now: The Opening Day roster does not need to be submitted Dec. 1, a fact the GM noted during his press conference. True enough. There are still good players out there in free agency, although none of them play second base. There still could be trades to be made before the season begins.

But as a Sox fan, it's hard to have faith in this regime, which has a history of half-measures, whether it's owner Jerry Reinsdorf not being willing to open up the checkbook, or Hahn not allocating his resources wisely, or leaving gaping holes in the lineup and hoping for the best.

We've been told as a fan base that we should expect October parades. That's all fine and dandy, but I'm still waiting for the day when I look at the Sox roster and truly feel like the team has a legitimate chance to win it all.

Carlos Rodon does not receive qualifying offer from White Sox

Carlos Rodon

Left-handed pitcher Carlos Rodon did not receive an $18.4 million qualifying offer from the White Sox on Sunday, meaning he will become a free agent.

Rodon, 28, had the best season of his career in 2021, going 13-5 with a 2.37 ERA in 24 starts. He was selected to the All-Star Game for the first time in his seven-year career and pitched a no-hitter against the Cleveland Indians on April 14.

Sox general manager Rick Hahn said during his end-of-season press conference Friday that the team would like to find a way to bring Rodon back, but clearly, that $18.4 million price tag is too high for a pitcher with Rodon's injury history.

Even in this, his best season, shoulder problems limited Rodon to 132.2 innings -- and that was the most innings he's pitched since 2016. If he had been 100% healthy at the end of the season, he probably would have been the Sox's Game 1 starter in the ALDS. Alas, the balky shoulder kept him off the mound until Game 4, and he went only 2.2 innings in a season-ending 10-1 loss to the Houston Astros.

Educated guess here: Rodon will be elsewhere in 2022.

That's because Hahn also stated Friday that Michael Kopech will be moving into the starting rotation next season. Kopech would join Lucas Giolito, Lance Lynn, Dylan Cease and Dallas Keuchel. Unless there's a trade in the works, there's no room for Rodon.

A few other notes and thoughts from Hahn's press conference:

What to do with Vaughn and Sheets?

According to an article from James Fegan in The Athletic, Hahn said, "We feel very bullish on the futures of Andrew Vaughn and Gavin Sheets. We envision them playing significant roles on multiple White Sox clubs going forward. We will spend some time over the next few months figuring out what is the best fit for them in 2022. Could be DH possibilities, right-field possibilities. They’re both natural first basemen and we’ve seen how quickly Andrew acclimated to left field. They provided us with good options and flexibility.”

Let me say this: I don't mind Vaughn and Sheets rotating with Jose Abreu and Eloy Jimenez in some sort of time share at first base, designated hitter and in left field.  

Abreu is entering his age-35 season, and if we're being honest, he ran out of gas in 2021. He homered only twice after Sept. 1, and dealt with numerous nagging injuries. It would be beneficial for him to DH more. He should still play every day, but fewer games at first base are in order. Vaughn and Sheets can fill in.

Vaughn has shown me that he's better in left field than Jimenez. I have no problem whatsoever giving Vaughn some starts in left and using Jimenez as a DH.

BUT, I don't want to see a right field time share involving Vaughn and Sheets. I don't think either of them are good defenders at that position, and Sheets is downright poor. The Sox have ignored defense far too often over the course of my lifetime.

Sign an actual outfielder to play right field, please.

Coaches back, but Allen Thomas is not

Manager Tony La Russa will return in 2022, along with his entire coaching staff. However, the Sox have parted ways with director of conditioning Allen Thomas, who had been in that role for 18 years. Thomas worked for the Sox for a total of 27 years.

The Sox seemingly lead the world in hamstring injuries -- Tim Anderson and Adam Engel had multiple issues in 2021. And Luis Robert and Nick Madrigal suffered catastrophic leg injuries performing the simple act of running out a ground ball.

Hahn said the Sox would be "reimagining" the strength and conditioning department this offseason. I don't know what the hell that means, but in the abstract, I endorse taking a hard look at training techniques after long-term injuries to key players threw a wrench in the season for the Sox.

Catching situation

I wasn't happy with the backup catchers on the Sox roster this year. Seby Zavala can't hit, and while his pitch calling and framing are decent-to-good, his pitch blocking is terrible. Zack Collins is supposed to be a hitter, but he's yet to prove that to me. And I don't have anything nice to say about his defense, frankly.

The Sox really had some problems when Yasmani Grandal had to sit in July and August with a knee injury.

Here's what Hahn said, again in an article from Fegan on The Athletic:

“(Collins and Zavala) both grew from the experience and they both are viable options next year. Obviously with Yasmani as valuable as he is offensively, as well as when healthy, what we get out of him from a defensive standpoint behind the plate, you want to do what you can to protect him and to have him viable over the course of the entire six months, much less into October. So having a backup that we have confidence in and can be a suitable sub for Yasmani when the needed breaks arise, would be of good benefit to us. Certainly have the internal options, we think they’re going to continue to get better and we’ll see how the offseason unfolds.”

Not to be a jerk, but these "internal options" stink. Sign a backup catcher this offseason.

Carlos Rodon's velocity is absent, but his results were good

Carlos Rodon

What do we make of Carlos Rodon's start Wednesday against the Cincinnati Reds? If you look at his pitching line, you can't help but be pleased.

The White Sox left-hander worked five shutout innings in a 6-1 victory. He allowed only one hit, while striking out four and walking two. And he was efficient, needing only 69 pitches to record 15 outs; 43 of those pitches were strikes.

However, this was a depleted Cincinnati lineup. The Reds were eliminated from playoff contention Tuesday, and their two best players -- Joey Votto and Nick Castellanos -- received a day off Wednesday.

The big concern from a Sox perspective ... Rodon's velocity just wasn't there. For the season, his fastball has averaged 96 mph, and topped out at 99. In this game, his average fastball velocity was 90.9 mph. He topped out at 92.7 mph.

Velocity comes from the shoulder, and we know Rodon has been dealing with nagging shoulder soreness.

Rodon also threw more changeups that he normally would, and strangely, the velocity on his change (82 mph) was a tick higher than the average velocity on his slider (81 mph). But he did get three swinging strikeouts with his slider. 

You can't argue with Rodon's results. He shut the Reds down with good command, good sequences and changes of speed. The question is whether that's going to be enough in the postseason against a strong Houston Astros lineup.

But assuming Rodon is healthy coming out of this start, he has earned the right to pitch a playoff game. He's 13-5 with a 2.37 ERA this season -- without a doubt his finest campaign as a member of the Sox.

He's made 24 starts, and the Sox are 16-8 in those games. I think we're going to see Rodon on the mound in either Game 3 or Game 4 of the ALDS against the Astros, and we'll see if he can find a way, just as he did Wednesday against the Reds.

Here's how I would align the White Sox rotation for the playoffs

Lucas Giolito

Carlos Rodon will start for the White Sox on Wednesday night against the Cincinnati Reds. Of the four games remaining in the regular season, this is probably the most important one for the Sox -- because it should give us some clue about whether Rodon will be healthy enough to contribute in the playoffs.

His velocity on both his fastball and his slider have been noticeably down, even with nine or 10 days in between starts, as he deals with shoulder fatigue. He hasn't pitched since Sept. 20, so once again, nine days of rest. We'll see what he has.

The Sox (90-68) beat the Reds, 7-1, Tuesday night behind two home runs from Luis Robert and six innings of one-run ball from Reynaldo Lopez (4-3). This marks the first time the Sox have reached 90 wins since 2006, and it's certainly nice to win. But right now, most of the discussion is looking ahead toward the first round of the playoffs.

How will manager Tony La Russa set up his starting rotation, knowing that Rodon likely isn't going to be fully operational?

Well, here's one man's suggestion, that man being me:

Game 1: Lucas Giolito

Game 2: Lance Lynn

Game 3: Dylan Cease

Game 4: Rodon, if healthy, otherwise start Michael Kopech. Regardless of who starts, send Giolito to the bullpen, and have him ready to work in relief on three days' rest.

Game 5: Lynn

The off days in this series are as such that the Game 2 starter could work on regular rest in Game 5, should the series take that long. 

Why am I choosing Giolito for Game 1 starter? It's actually nothing against Lynn. I trust Giolito and Lynn equally. It's just that we know Lynn is dealing with a balky right knee, and he's admitted that he won't be 100% for the rest of this season.

Giolito is the younger and healthier of the two pitchers, so I'm more inclined to give him the short-rest, Game 4 relief assignment.

Give Lynn his usual increment of rest, and you'll likely get more out of him.

I'm crossing my fingers and hoping Rodon can go. He's pitched very well against the Houston Astros this season. The Astros will be the Sox's AL Division Series opponent. 

In fact, Rodon's start on July 18 vs. Houston was one of the best pitching performances we've seen from a Sox pitcher in 2021. In two games against the Astros, Rodon has worked 14 innings, and allowed only one run on four hits -- with 18 strikeouts. Of course, he was healthy then.

Dallas Keuchel and Lopez are the other guys in consideration to make a start if Rodon can't go. But Keuchel, for me, just hasn't pitched well enough, despite his veteran experience. His season ERA is 5.13. I can't trust him. 

I'd actually trust Lopez over Keuchel, but Kopech is the better option to get you through a lineup one time, or maybe twice. 

My plan for Game 4 would be to use Giolito as the first man out of the bullpen, behind either Rodon or Kopech, and you hope that gets you through the sixth inning. Then you go to your usual complement of high-leverage relievers from the seventh inning on.

Carlos Rodon not looking good for the White Sox

Carlos Rodon

White Sox starter Carlos Rodon pitched only three innings Monday night against the Detroit Tigers. He didn't look good, allowing three runs in a 4-3 Sox loss.

He did strike out six, but he threw only 69 pitches, and his last pitch of the game was an 89 mph fastball. We know that's not Rodon. When he's right, he's throwing 95 or 96 mph, and he can ramp it up to 98 or 99 mph when he needs it.

We haven't seen that type of velocity from him at all in the past month, and it's concerning, because Rodon had nine days off in between starts. Even with extra rest, he can't seem to get right, and the playoffs are only two weeks away.

This is a problem, because starting pitching is the one advantage the Sox have over their American League rivals. Sure, the Houston Astros and Tampa Bay Rays are better teams overall than the Sox, but with Lance Lynn, Lucas Giolito and Rodon, they have a puncher's chance in a short series against any opponent.

Take away Rodon, and that starting pitching doesn't look so formidable.

After Monday's game, manager Tony La Russa said he thinks it's doubtful that Rodon will pitch next week against the Cincinnati Reds, as originally thought. La Russa said that Rodon "wasn't right" after the third inning and added that he was "concerned."

In his postgame remarks, Rodon described his issues as "normal soreness" and "nothing crazy." I wish I could believe that, but the quality of his stuff tells me otherwise. He just doesn't pass the eye test right now.

Another topic of concern is reliever Craig Kimbrel, who entered in a 3-3 tie the bottom of the eighth inning and coughed up a run on a HBP, a wild pitch and a single. That cost the Sox this game, and Kimbrel's poor performance is an ongoing problem.

But that might a topic to revisit another time. The story tonight is Rodon's health, and it's an ominous sign that this very important starting pitcher looks incapable of helping the Sox with the playoffs looming on the horizon.

The Sox are 85-65. Their magic number is 2. No worries about the AL Central race. The ability of this team to do anything in the playoffs, however, is a big question.

White Sox summon Jimmy Lambert as starting pitching crisis deepens

Dallas Keuchel

Lance Lynn is on the 10-day injured list with right knee inflammation. Lucas Giolito is on the 10-day injured list with a left hamstring strain.

Carlos Rodon is not on the injured list -- yet -- but he will be unavailable to the White Sox in their upcoming series against the Oakland Athletics because of "shoulder fatigue and soreness." Rodon was last seen Sept. 1, earning a victory against the lowly Pittsburgh Pirates despite reduced velocity and less-than-his-best stuff.

Dallas Keuchel is reportedly 100% healthy, but his ERA is not. He's 1-5 with a 7.44 ERA since the All-Star break, and he got shellacked again Friday night in a 7-2 loss to the Kansas City Royals.

Reynaldo Lopez has done a nice job for the Sox since he was recalled from Triple-A Charlotte, but he showed some cracks Saturday in Kansas City. Despite being handed an early 6-0 lead, he couldn't make it through more than four innings. His velocity was down, and he allowed three runs. The Sox eventually won, 10-7, but it wasn't the best day for Lopez.

Dylan Cease is healthy and functioning, although he took the loss Sunday in Kansas City, 6-0. It wasn't a great game for Cease, as he gave up a 3-run homer in the first inning to Salvador Perez. But, unless he had found a way to give up negative runs, he was destined to lose that game anyway because of a lousy performance by the Sox offense.

It's too bad Michael Kopech doesn't seem capable of filling in. He was great for the Sox as a spot starter early in the season, but he has an 8.68 ERA since the All-Star break. He's having trouble getting through one inning, let alone multiple innings, and he's not the option he was back in May.

Suddenly, the Sox starting rotation, which has been the strength of the team all season, is lacking in options. With the start of the playoffs a month away, it's cracking at just the wrong time.

The series against Oakland on Tuesday night, Wednesday night and Thursday afternoon is going to be tough.

Jimmy Lambert has been recalled from Triple-A Charlotte to take the start on Tuesday night. He takes the roster spot of Matt Foster, who was optioned to Charlotte after Sunday's game.

Keuchel will pitch on regular rest Wednesday, but he's pitched a grand total of nine innings in his past three starts -- and given up 16 earned runs in that stretch. Doesn't sound promising.

Lopez will pitch on regular rest Thursday. Here's to hoping his fastball sits at 95-97 mph, instead of the 92-94 we saw Saturday in Kansas City.

Looking a little farther ahead, Cease will be ready on regular rest to face the Boston Red Sox on Friday night at Guaranteed Rate Field.

But Saturday and Sunday against Boston ... welp, we better hope somebody gets healthy by then. The starting pitching crisis is deepening on the South Side of Chicago.

Gavin Sheets hits 2 home runs in return to White Sox roster

It's not clear how many at-bats will be available for Gavin Sheets in September, but he made his case for more playing time Wednesday night at Guaranteed Rate Field.

Hours after being called up from Triple-A Charlotte, Sheets was batting eighth as the DH in the White Sox's lineup against the Pittsburgh Pirates. 

He went 2 for 3 with two homers and four RBIs, and the Sox beat the Pirates, 6-3.

Sheets started the scoring with a 3-run homer off Pittsburgh starter Max Kranick (1-3) in the bottom of the fourth inning. Then he finished the scoring with a solo homer off reliever Duane Underwood Jr. in the bottom of the eighth inning. Sheets now has eight home runs this season.

The Sox got five decent innings from starter Carlos Rodon (11-5), who struck out five and walked one, while allowing only one run on five hits.

Rodon threw 77 pitches in his second start back from the injured list. He didn't have his peak velocity -- he was throwing 95 mph, which is not too shabby, but we often see Rodon sit at 97 with his fastball. He didn't have his best slider, either, but hey, these are the last-place Pirates, and he had enough to get his job done.

Once again, the Sox bullpen was a little suspect. Aaron Bummer gave up a solo home run in the seventh inning, and the Pirates also scratched across a run in the eighth against the combination of Ryan Tepera and Liam Hendriks.

But, Hendriks stranded two runners to close out the eighth, then worked a 1-2-3 ninth for his 31st save of the season. Ultimately, Hendriks needed only 18 pitches to record five outs, but it's kind of annoying the Sox are having so much trouble getting the eighth inning covered.

That's still an issue that must be sorted out over the next month.

The Sox are a season-high 22 games over .500 at 78-56.

Carlos Rodon picks up victory in return from injured list

Carlos Rodon

White Sox left-hander Carlos Rodon returned to the mound for the first time since Aug. 7 on Thursday, he was effective.

Rodon (10-5) went five innings, allowing two runs on five hits, and picked up the victory as the Sox beat the Toronto Blue Jays, 10-7, in the finale of a four-game series and a seven-game road trip.

Even though Rodon was not overpowering -- he struck out only three -- he was reasonably efficient. He tossed 67 pitches, 46 of them for strikes. When Rodon left the game, some fans on social media were upset that he wasn't allowed to continue.

Personally, I was fine with pulling Rodon. The score was 9-2 in favor of the Sox at that point, and I didn't see any point in wasting Rodon's arm on this particular game, especially coming off the shoulder soreness he experienced after his previous start.

You would like to think the bullpen would handle those 12 outs with a big lead fairly easily, but this is the Sox bullpen we're talking about, and somebody new fails every day.

This time, it was Michael Kopech's turn to fail, as he was pounded for five runs in the bottom of the sixth inning. That brought the Blue Jays within two runs at 9-7, but things stabilized for the Sox from there. Ryan Tepera, Garrett Crochet and Craig Kimbrel all worked scoreless innings to close it out, with Kimbrel getting his first save since joining the Sox.

But the bigger story was the Sox offense, which was productive for the first time in a long time. The Sox are 33-5 in games where they hit two home runs or more, and they hit four in this game -- Cesar Hernandez, Luis Robert, Jose Abreu and Eloy Jimenez went deep.

Tim Anderson went 3 for 5 with two RBIs, and Leury Garcia was 2 for 3 with two runs scored and two RBIs. Garcia, who just returned from the concussion IL, gave the Sox a lift with a 6-for-11 series against the Blue Jays.

The Sox are 74-55. They finish this 14-game stretch against winning teams with a 7-7 record. Their AL Central lead is nine going into a weekend series with the crosstown Cubs.

Chris Bassitt struck by line drive; White Sox trounce A's

Chris Bassitt

It's probably the scariest thing that can happen at a baseball game: The batter hits a screaming line drive right back up the middle, and the pitcher doesn't have enough time to get his glove up or get out of the way.

That happened to Oakland ace Chris Bassitt on Tuesday night at Guaranteed Rate Field. Sox outfielder Brian Goodwin's 100-mph liner struck Bassitt in the face in the bottom of the second inning.

The right-hander was bleeding profusely, and medical personnel took him off the field on a cart. Fortunately, Bassitt never lost consciousness, and he was taken to the hospital for further evaluation. After the game, Oakland manager Bob Melvin said Bassitt had suffered some cuts, and the team was awaiting word on possible fractures. Melvin added that he believed the pitcher had escaped any injury to his eye, which is good to hear.

Bassitt, 32, made his big league debut with the Sox in 2014 before being traded to Oakland as part of the Jeff Samardzija deal. He is a 12-game winner for the A's this season, and earlier this year, he was selected to the American League All-Star team for the first time.

There's no question Bassitt has turned himself into a very good pitcher. He has always spoken highly of the White Sox organization, and folks in Chicago have always had nice things to say about him. The baseball world prays that his injuries are not serious, and that his stay in the hospital will be a short one.

After that injury, the Oakland team understandably didn't show much life the rest of the game. The Sox went on to score five runs in that second inning -- two on a single by Andrew Vaughn and three on Jake Lamb's sixth home run of the season. The South Siders cruised to an easy 9-0 victory.

Jose Abreu added a 3-run homer, his 25th of the season, in the fourth inning. Abreu now has 89 RBIs and is tied for the AL lead with Boston third baseman Rafael Devers.

The Sox also got a good spot start from Reynaldo Lopez (2-0), who is temporarily taking Carlos Rodon's rotation spot. Lopez allowed only one hit over five shutout innings. He struck out four and walked two.

Relievers Ryan Burr and Mike Wright each threw two shutout innings to close out the game for the Sox. But again, Oakland was probably happy just to get this one over with after seeing what happened to Bassitt.

The Sox are 70-50 and hold an 11-game lead over Cleveland in the AL Central.

White Sox complete three-game sweep of Detroit Tigers

Carlos Rodon

There are still questions about the White Sox's ability to beat good teams, but the Sox have proven they can reliably slay the bums in the American League.

The South Siders are now 8-2 against the Detroit Tigers this season, after completing a three-game sweep in Detroit over the weekend.

The Sox (41-24) have won four in a row overall and now possess a 5.5-game lead in the American League Central over the second-place Cleveland Indians.

Here's a look back at the weekend that was:

Friday, June 11

White Sox 5, Tigers 4 (10 innings): Liam Hendriks had converted 12 straight saves and not allowed an earned run since April 24, so he was due for a bad game. After sitting through a rain delay at the onset of the bottom of the ninth, Hendriks let a 4-2 lead slip when he gave up a two-run homer to Detroit's Daz Cameron.

Fortunately for Hendriks (3-1), he got the win anyway. The Sox scored a run in the top of the 10th inning on a sacrifice fly by Yoan Moncada. Aaron Bummer recorded his second save of the season by pitching out of a first-and-second, no-outs jam in the bottom of the inning. Bummer struck out two, then benefited from a nice defensive play by second baseman Danny Mendick to end the game.

At the plate, Mendick was 2 for 4 with a run scored and an RBI. Adam Engel hit his second home run of the season to highlight the Sox offense.

Saturday, June 12

White Sox 15, Tigers 2: Brian Goodwin had a successful debut with the Sox. The veteran outfielder was added to the roster last week when Nick Madrigal went on the injured list with a torn hamstring. Goodwin delivered an RBI double as part of a three-run first inning, then added a three-run homer as part of a five-run second inning.

Goodwin finished the game with five RBIs. The Sox pounded out 13 hits and took advantage of 11 walks by the Detroit pitching staff. The Tigers used seven people to pitch, including two position players, after starter Jose Urena gave up eight runs and got knocked out in the second inning.

Dylan Cease (5-2) is now 8-0 lifetime against the Tigers. He pitched five innings of two-run ball with seven strikeouts. He exited the game after five because the Sox were ahead 13-2. Lightly used relievers Ryan Burr and Matt Foster finished the game.

Yermin Mercedes and Leury Garcia had two hits and three RBIs each in the rout.

Sunday, June 13

White Sox 4, Tigers 1: Carlos Rodon took a no-hitter into the seventh inning. Unfortunately for him, he lost the bid after a missed strike call by the home plate umpire. With one out in the seventh, Rodon aced Detroit's Eric Haase with a 2-2 slider that had the whole plate. Alas, the pitch was called a ball. Haase doubled to break up the no-hitter, and later scored on a sacrifice fly to spoil the shutout.

Rodon (6-2) was at 103 pitches after seven innings, so he was removed from the game at that point. He allowed only the one hit and two walks. He struck out nine. 

It wasn't an explosive day for the Sox offense, but it was good enough. Jose Abreu had three hits, including an RBI single in the fourth. Garcia had two RBIs, one on a double in the fifth and the other on a bases-loaded walk in the sixth. Mendick was hit by a pitch with the bases loaded in the sixth, as the Tigers continued to show why they are tied for last place.

Evan Marshall worked a 1-2-3 eighth, and Hendriks bounced back from Friday with a clean ninth for his 17th save in 20 attempts.

White Sox waste a brilliant Carlos Rodon start for the second time in a week

Carlos Rodon

In his past two starts, White Sox pitcher Carlos Rodon has pitched 12 innings. He's allowed only one run on three hits in those 12 innings, while striking out 23 and walking nobody.

And he didn't win either of those two games because his teammates stink.

On Wednesday, Rodon worked six innings of one-run ball against the St. Louis Cardinals. He struck out 10 and allowed only one hit.

Unfortunately, that hit was a solo home run by Tommy Edman, who hit a poorly located Rodon changeup into the left-field seats. That gave the Cardinals a 1-0 lead in the bottom of the third inning. St. Louis tacked on three runs late against the Sox bullpen and went on to salvage the finale of the three-game series, 4-0.

The Sox left 13 runners on base and went 0 for 10 with runners in scoring position. In particular, it was a bad day for Yermin Mercedes, who went 0 for 4. His first two times, he came to the plate with the bases loaded. His second two times, he came to the plate with runners at first and second.

You already know the Sox didn't score in this game, so it's plainly obvious how poorly Mercedes did in those RBI situations. The designated hitter is mired in a 2-for-25 slump.

Shortstop Tim Anderson didn't play Wednesday. He's in a 3-for-30 slump. Adam Eaton left Wednesday's game with a sore hamstring. He is batting .125 since April 27.

Also injured Wednesday ... Michael Kopech. He took a weird fall on the mound as he delivered his final pitch of a scoreless seventh inning. He is day-to-day with hamstring soreness, although honestly, it looked like Kopech wrenched his knee. Regardless, he's the best reliever the Sox have this year, so it would be a huge loss if he were to miss much time.

So, yeah, no good news at the old ballpark today. The only blessing is the Cleveland Indians also lost Wednesday, so the Sox maintain their 1.5-game lead in the AL Central for at least another day.

The Baltimore Orioles come to town next for a four-game series starting Thursday night. Good news: The Orioles are a lowly 17-32 this season. Bad news: They've lost nine in a row, which means they are due to win a couple. The odds of baseball say you can't win 'em all, but you also can't lose 'em all.

Lucas Giolito beats former high school teammate Jack Flaherty in high-profile pitching matchup

Lucas Giolito

Sometimes marquee pitching matchups don't live up to the hype, do they? Tuesday's game between the White Sox and the St. Louis Cardinals featured a pair of aces who are former high school teammates -- Lucas Giolito for the Sox and Jack Flaherty for the Cardinals.

Flaherty entered the game with an 8-0 record, but he didn't make it out of the fourth inning in this one, as the Sox secured a series victory with an 8-3 win.

Giolito (4-4), who has been off to a slow start this season, got back to .500 by pitching six innings of two-run ball. Only one of the runs was earned. He struck out five and walked none, while allowing six hits.

The St. Louis defense committed three errors behind Flaherty, and in fact, the Sox scored two runs in the first inning without the benefit of a hit. They added three more runs in the second inning on just two hits.

Jose Abreu hit his 10th home run of the season off Flaherty in the bottom of the fourth. It was a two-run shot to make the score 7-2, and it was part of a four-RBI night for the Sox first baseman.

Final line on Flaherty: 3.2 IP, seven runs, only three earned, on six hits. He struck out three and walked two.

The Sox took their 8-3 lead into the ninth inning, but of course, the leaky bullpen made it interesting. Garrett Crochet gave up a leadoff double to Yadier Molina and walked two batters to load the bases with nobody out.

That forced Tony La Russa to bring Liam Hendriks into a save situation. The Sox closer struck out all three batters he faced to strand the three runners and earn his 10th save of the season.

The Sox go for the sweep Wednesday afternoon with Carlos Rodon on the mount. John Gant will pitch for St. Louis.