The White Sox will install Nick Nastrini back into their rotation, reports Daryl Van Schouwen of the Chicago Sun-Times (X link). Manager Pedro Grifol confirmed after tonight’s win over the Blue Jays that the rookie right-hander will take the ball tomorrow in Toronto, pushing Mike Clevinger back to Thursday’s series opener against the Orioles.
Chicago needed to settle on a new fifth starter after designating Brad Keller for assignment on Sunday. Nastrini and Jonathan Cannon, each of whom made his MLB debut in April, were the likeliest options. Nastrini took two starts for the Sox last month. He worked five innings of two-run ball against the Royals in his debut before surrendering six runs across three frames in a road matchup with the Phillies.
The Sox optioned Nastrini back to Triple-A Charlotte after his start in Philadelphia. Keller drew into the rotation for a couple turns, while Clevinger returned to the majors after his late free agent signing. The Sox quickly decided to move on from the veteran Keller in favor of a look at a younger pitcher.
Nastrini, 24, is a former fourth-round pick of the Dodgers. The Sox acquired him at last summer’s deadline in the Lance Lynn/Joe Kelly deal. Nastrini closed last season in Charlotte, where he has spent the majority of the 2024 campaign. His 5.83 ERA in 29 1/3 Triple-A frames isn’t particularly impressive, but the UCLA product has fanned nearly 27% of batters faced with a serviceable 8.2% walk rate. The longball has been his biggest issue, as Nastrini has allowed nine homers in six starts.
The Sox’s rotation has been one of the league’s worst overall, though it’s not without a few interesting performers. Garrett Crochet tossed six scoreless innings to earn the win tonight. He lowered his season ERA to 3.75 in the process. Crochet has punched out more than 32% of opponents in his first year as a starter.
Erick Fedde has allowed 3.10 earned runs per nine over 10 starts in his return to the majors. That mid-rotation production and his modest $7.5MM salaries through 2025 make him an intriguing trade candidate. Every other pitcher who has made multiple starts — Nastrini, Cannon, Keller, Clevinger, Chris Flexen and Michael Soroka — has an ERA above 5.00.
Chicago will officially recall Nastrini tomorrow. They’ll need to option or designate a pitcher for assignment to comply with the 13-pitcher maximum. It could be one of multiple moves, as the Sox will know in the coming days if Eloy Jiménez requires a stint on the injured list. The hulking DH left tonight’s game with a left hamstring strain.
Eloy is the biggest bust in White Sox history. Can’t play in RF/LF and can’t be a full-time DH. Dude is made of glass and minerals.
But he sure can sport that baseball cap sideways in photos!
True:)
One reason why he keeps getting hurt stepping on bases could be his “hulking” physique.
Eloy has his issues. But Andrew Vaughn is a bigger bust in my opinion. The White Sox acted like he was another Freddie Freeman. The guy has never done anything.
That’d be a good poll to have. Who’s the bigger bust.
I think the biggest bust belongs to Vogelbach.
I’m referring to chest measurement…
It’s Arnold worthy … massive rock
I’d like to nominate both Yoan Moncada and Michael Kopech.
Those four are the biggest reasons why this team can’t resemble a competent baseball team because not a single one of them developed properly and each of them somehow managed to realize their prospect floors as opposed to something resembling upside or a ceiling.
In my opinion, I’d rank them like this (#1 being the biggest bust/disappointment):
#1 – Eloy Jimenez
#2 – Yoan Moncada
#3 -; Michael Kopech
#4 + Andrew Vaughn
Ouchy clown.
Drama, much? In their entire history? You also kept insisting they dump Gavin Sheets.
Do you have any idea how long White Sox history is? And there is absolutely no bigger bust in Chi Sox history than Kurt Brown, He was drafted #5 overall in 1985. One spot ahead of Barry Bonds.
What happened to Jared Shuster?
I rather keep in the BP.
There’s nothing wrong with letting him build more confidence in the bullpen. But at some point, they should give him a run of starts. The White Sox primary objective for the rest of the season should be to find three starting pitchers they can pencil in to the rotation next year. Crochet is one. Assuming Fedde gets traded, they need to find at least two more. They don’t need to be aces. But it would be a great sign for the future if this coaching staff proves capable of turning unwanted pitchers into usable arms.
Don: Of course Fedde and Pham will be gone by the deadline, probably Crochet as well. It doesn’t matter who the Sox put in the starting rotation or anywhere else. The rest of the roster is so bad, they’re interchangeable.
Your correct avenger. But a big problem is that once they get rid of ‘serviceable players’, fewer ‘serviceable players’ are inclined to sign on, with this organization.
like to see grifols drop Vaugn and Benintendi way down in the order.
They should just find a way to move on from Vaughn. Either a minor trade or a straight release. Move Sheets to 1B full time and use Vaughn’s roster spot to continue sifting through waiver wire pick-ups in hopes of finding something useful. Vaughn has had plenty of opportunity. The Sox have gotten all they are going to get out of him. Don’t let pride get in the way of improvement.
I would put AV at DH once Eloy is gone and remove Gavin Sheets from RF. They have plenty of DH options.
But why continue to make room for Vaughn? What has he done to show he deserves at bats? I would offer him to Pittsburgh for Roansy Contreras. It’s time to let someone else try and figure him out.
You’re not really wrong but Benintendi, Mendick, and Nicky Lopez are playing a whole lot too.
I can see a world where Vaughn puts it together….But you’re right it’s next to impossible it’ll be in Chicago. Team is a dumpster fire and a half.
They are stuck with Benitendi’s contract. They have no choice but to play him and hope he plays better.
At least Lopez is slick with the glove. He helps the young pitchers with his defense.
If they had 1B or DH open, maybe they could get lucky or creative and find a guy another team can’t find a position for. Maybe they find a productive hitter who can be flipped at the deadline or maybe even penciled in for next year. Every at bat given to Vaughn is a wasted opportunity in my opinion.
Why do you keep defending Vaughn against all reason. Are you his mommie?
Agree on Vaughn. Time to move on. Sheets to 1B, Benintendi to DH/bench, and give as many OF at bats as possible to Pham/Julks until one or both are traded. We might need to keep Benintendi, but we sure as heck don’t need to watch him play in the field.
Like to see Grifol fired in a few weeks.
Or now
Good idea on young pitchers Chris, let’s see what they can do.
I’d let Soroka pitch shorter stints out of the pen to see if he might be useful in that role. He can’t start anymore. Maybe he’ll get his stuff to play up better in short spurts.
Unfortunate injuries derailed him. He looked to be developing into a nice young starter.
I know most won’t agree with this- I like Pham and Julks in this lineup. Both show intensity in batting and fielding . If or when Robert is healthy, they would be nice in the field and at bat. Can’t understand Vaughn , Benny and Our .095 catcher being in any lineup. Pitching wise – starters are OK – knowing that they have a poor offense behind them. Going to the mound knowing your team will score 0 or 2 or less runs does put pressure on on a pitcher.
Jays made Minestrone outta this guy.
Yeah they can send Nastrini back down because he’s gotten rocked by the Phillies & last night by the Jays.
And Eloy, Vaughn, Sheets, Benetendi, Moncada are untradeable.
Heh.
Our only tradeable assets are:
– Tommy Pham
– Erik Fedde
– Michael Kopech (maybe)
– Garrett Crochet
I hope at least one of Nick Nastrini, Jonathan Cannon, or Jared Schuster work out. I still believe in Jake Eder, Colson Montgomery, and Jordan Leasure.