Jesse Crain returns to White Sox

Apr 28, 2013; Chicago, IL, USA; Chicago White Sox relief pitcher Jesse Crain (26) delivers a pitch during the eighth inning against the Tampa Bay Rays at US Cellular Field. Tampa Bay won 8-3. Mandatory Credit: Dennis Wierzbicki-USA TODAY Sports

The Chicago White Sox brought a little bit of their past back by signing right-handed pitcher Jesse Crain to a minor league contract, Thursday.

Crain’s history with the White Sox is from 2011-13, which was the last time he pitched in the majors.

This signing by the White Sox is being described by some as a low-risk, high reward type of deal and I have to agree with that assessment of this deal, which is for one year.

During his time with the White Sox, Crain was 12-9 in 156 games as a reliever for the Good Guys.

In ’11, Crain had an ERA of 2.62 in 67 appearances (65.1 innings pitched), followed with a ’12 season of with a 2.44 ERA in 48 innings (51 games). In ’13 his ERA was 0.74 in 36.2 innings in 38 games, but he was traded to Tampa Bay by the White Sox that season.

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Crain totaled 56 strikeouts in his 68 innings pitched with the White Sox (68 totaled games). His WHIP in three seasons with the White Sox is 1.167.

After leaving the White Sox, Crain signed with the Houston Astros for the ’14 season, but never played in a MLB game for them.

But injuries have been what has hurt Crain, and this HardballTalk.com article from April 25, 2014 talked about it:

"“Crain’s late two years have been a bumpy ride. As a reliever with the White Sox, Crain landed on the 60-day disabled list in early July last season with a strained right shoulder.”"

The article also said:

"“Crain (developed) bursitis in his right shoulder. Bursitis is the inflammation of the bursae sacs of synovial fluid.”"

If Crain is about to stay injury free, and post the number he had with the White Sox in previous season’s there just might be a chance he can make it back to the majors in some type of role out of the bullpen.

In an article on Thursday also on HardballTalk.com, it said of Crain:

"“Crain is a huge question mark at this point given his inability to come back from shoulder and biceps surgeries.”"

Again, this signing isn’t much of a risk for the White Sox, but if he can return to his previous form, Crain could be the surprise of spring training, but returning from the type of injuries he had will be very tough nonetheless.

Best of luck to Crain this spring.