The Chicago White Sox are not off to the start that everyone thought they would have. They have battled injuries and inconsistent play which has put them in this opposition. There is a lot of work to be done but there is a lot of baseball left.
The starting pitching has been okay depending on who pitches that day. Lance Lynn hasn’t pitched once this season as he recovers from injury. He should be back soon which is going to make a major difference with this rotation.
Lucas Giolito missed a few starts with an injury and now he is on the COVID-19 list. When he has been on the mound, however, he’s been great. Dylan Cease and Michael Kopech have both also been mostly amazing so far.
Jimmy Lambert, Dallas Keuchel, and Vince Velasquez have split the rest of the starts (in different doses). There have been great moments amongst them and some not-so-great moments. It is clear that they need to establish a five-man rotation that they can trust to give them a chance to win.
The Chicago White Sox would love to get some more help with the rotation.
With Giolito and Lynn still on the shelf for a little while longer (Lucas should return this week), they needed someone to start on Monday. That is why they announced that they purchased the contract of Johnny Cueto from the Charlotte Knights.
The White Sox signed him to a Minor League deal a few weeks ago and he has been getting ready in AAA ever since. He is coming off a year where he was with the San Francisco Giants who were the best team in the league.
Prior to tonight’s series opener at Kansas City, the Chicago White Sox purchased the contract of two-time All-Star right-handed pitcher Johnny Cueto from Class AAA Charlotte and optioned infielder Danny Mendick to Charlotte.
— Chicago White Sox (@whitesox) May 16, 2022
On the bump tonight. pic.twitter.com/vuj0hIIx49
— Chicago White Sox (@whitesox) May 16, 2022
Cueto also had a tremendous career before that. He has been a two-time all-star thanks to the outstanding stuff that he has featured in his career. He also won the World Series with the team that he will make his White Sox debut with in the Kansas City Royals.
If Ceto can pitch well, he can be in the mix to be the number five with Velasquez and Keuchel. If one of them steps up and pitches well along with Cease, Kopech, Giolito, and Lynn, it will be an outstanding rotation. Hopefully, his debut on Monday sets the tone for a great season for him.