When the calendar hits September 1st, all 30 major league teams will have the opportunity to add two additional men to the roster, as the roster limit expands from 26 to 28. While some enthusiastic White Sox fans have thrown around names like Caleb Bonemer, the White Sox will likely not be too aggressive with their call-ups.
As we approach the final stretch of the Major League season, Chicago has remained in first place in the AL Central for most of 2026, cementing themselves as legitimate playoff contenders. This is in huge thanks to rookie contributions and other young players, such as the Montgomerys, Tristan Peters, and Sam Antonacci, among others.
The White Sox will likely add one pitcher and one hitter in September
Still, questions are rising about who can make an impact at the big-league level, and there are many to choose from. Let’s start with pitching depth: something that’s needed no matter the time of year, but is of particular concern to the current White Sox situation. At the deadline, the White Sox got stronger, adding Luis Castillo to their rotation. However, more can be done to cement them further as they've still struggled to consistently get five innings from starters.
Noah Schultz, who has had an unimpressive 6.06 ERA in his rookie season, could see time back up in the bigs, and Drew Thorpe has continued to post strong performances in his rehab from Tommy John surgery. He could be back soon. Shane Smith is another guy who could be a backup, but with a 10.80 ERA in limited action in 2026, there isn't much excitement surrounding him, and he's been inconsistent in the minor leagues.
Noah Schultz, 98mph ⛽️
— Rob Friedman (@PitchingNinja) April 14, 2026
1st MLB K pic.twitter.com/85tYqQ0ZMf
On the offensive side, two names that stick out are Junior Perez and Rikku Nishida, both 24-year-olds with some potential. They will most likely see time as late-game substitutes and pinch runners. Perez, who in 2026 in the big leagues has a .171 batting average in 35 at-bats, can be much more productive at the plate, but he needs a little seasoning. Similarly, Nishida has been unimpressive in a short sample size in 2026, hitting .241 in 29 at-bats. However, what stands out for these two is their minor league stolen base totals, sitting at 15 and 28, respectively. Chicago could definitely use their speed off the bench, especially in close games down the stretch.
Alternatively, the White Sox could choose to roll with three catchers as Kyle Teel prepares to return from the injured list.
It’s likely that at least a couple of the players mentioned will see time in the big leagues in September, and hopefully they can be more productive during their stint than they were last time around.
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