White Sox Avoid Sweep, Prep for Diamondbacks with Roster Changes

The Chicago White Sox avoided a sweep of the Seattle Mariners on Thursday, earning their first win of a seven-game road trip. The West Coast swing continues Friday when the Sox open a three-game series against the Arizona Diamondbacks. Before the opener, the club announced a few roster moves.

Tommy Pham returns to the White Sox after a stint on the 10-day injury list. Pham sprained his ankle sliding into home on June 2 in Milwaukee, which led to a heated on-field exchange. He has been in the Arizona Complex League as part of his rehab assignment. The veteran outfielder provides a spark for a White Sox offense that has recently shown signs of life.

No More Rookies

In a subsequent move, the White Sox sent outfielder Zach DeLoach to Triple-A Charlotte to make room for Tommy Pham on the active roster. DeLoach, acquired in an offseason trade with the Seattle Mariners, saw limited action and went 3-for-22 with a double and an RBI during his most recent big-league stint.

Relief pitcher Jordan Leasure will join DeLoach with the Charlotte Knights. Leasure had a promising start to the 2024 campaign before some recent struggles. Over his last eight games , the rookie pitched to a 9.00 ERA in eight innings. The big blow came Monday in Seattle when Cal Raleigh blasted a walk-off grand slam off the righty. Additionally, Leasure has battled command issues, walking eight hitters in that span.

Cool, I Guess

The White Sox purchased the contract of reliever Chad Kuhl to replace Jordan Leasure. He will consume the empty spot on the 40-man roster vacated by Dominic Leone's addition to the 60-day IL. Kuhl pitched to an 8.45 ERa for the rebuilding Washington Nationals in 2023.

He's spent 2024 in Charlotte, where he compiled a 4.34 ERA in 56 innings in 13 games, 11 of which were starts. Kuhl signed with the White Sox on a minor-league deal in December last year.

What's On Tap Next?

With Tommy Pham back in the mix, the White Sox will get a boost in plate production, where they need all the help they can get. However, the downside of his return is that there's less playing time for Oscar Colas and Corey Julks — two players who can improve and be a part of next year's club. Meanwhile, Pham will likely get traded in the coming weeks.

Zach DeLoach has yet to show much production at the Triple-A or big-league level in 2024. The soon-to-be 26-year-old is running out of time to prove his viability.

Jordan Leasure has struggled since posting a 1.96 ERA over his first 18.1 big-league innings . The White Sox found it wise to demote him in hopes that he could improve his command. Chad Kuhl's role is uncertain, but the South Siders need quality relief innings anywhere they can get them.

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