The White Sox announced that they have claimed left-hander Doug Nikhazy off waivers from the Guardians and optioned him to Triple-A Charlotte. Cleveland designated him for assignment last week. The White Sox had a 40-man vacancy and don’t need to make a corresponding move.
Nikhazy, 26, has a very limited major league track record thus far. He tossed four innings for the Guards last year, allowing six earned runs via five hits and six walks while striking out five. Cleveland nudged him off the roster a week ago when they added Kolby Allard to their roster.
He does have some intriguing numbers on the farm from previous seasons. From 2022 to 2024, he tossed 328 innings over five relief appearances and 70 starts, allowing 3.90 earned runs per nine frames. His 14.5% walk rate was ghastly but he offset that somewhat by striking out 26.8% of opponents. His results backed up last year, despite the major league debut. He had a 5.02 ERA at Triple-A. He did lower his walk rate to 11.1% but his strikeout rate dropped to 22.5%.
For the White Sox, they just opened a 40-man spot when they gave up on Rule 5 pick Jedixson Páez last week. Since Nikhazy still has options, they can use that open spot to grab him from the wire and send him to the minors. Time will tell if the Sox view Nikhazy as more of a starter or a reliever. It’s also possible they put him back on waivers at some point in the hopes of keeping him as non-roster depth.
Photo courtesy of Rick Scuteri, Imagn Images
I love those Sierra Nevada Hazy Little Things IPAs. Feel like I could drink a thousand of em, you guys.
I’d drink one with you, but I don’t know if I can be friends with someone who doesn’t like The English Patient.
Ha! I was thinking the same thing!
Better nikhazy than slimshady one suppose
Bit of a head scratcher move to me to let him go, especially when Cleveland’s starting pitching depth is so thin.
Doug was really competitive and entertaining in college. I hope he gets a chance and puts it all together some day.
Guards are getting good starts from Cantillo, Cecconi and Messick, their rotation is young but they are all racking K’s — Logan Allen pitched well in stretches last season, didnt fair well this spring but nice depth. They have another ace up their sleeve in Daniel Espino.
Espino is ready, it doesnt look like he’ll have a spot unless injuries arise but I’d like to see Espino in the bullpen, he could be really strong this year.
Ralphy Velasquez can hit, he is young but would the Guards move him up if Kayfus struggles or Hoskins is injured? A year older than Griffin and Kayfus has options.
Although it wasn’t a trade in the traditional way, but it worked out as essentially a Pallette for Nikhazy swap.
I would agree with this statement. I think in the long run, the guardians couldn’t fix his control. They are good at adding velocity in youngsters but they usually draft guys with control. Nikazy was an outlier.
Palette looks comfortable in the majors and so far it looks as if they have “won” this”trade”.