Garrett Crochet's inaugural start will be a memorable one.
The Chicago White Sox will show their confidence in Garrett Crochet's move from the bullpen to the starting rotation by giving him the ball on opening day. Crochet, known for his strong throws, has appeared in 72 games, all as a reliever.
On March 28, the White Sox will host the Detroit Tigers to kick off the season, marking a change for Crochet.
Crochet expressed his surprise at being chosen to start on opening day after being informed of some exciting news. He had expected to simply have made the rotation.
Following the trade of Dylan Cease to the San Diego Padres, the White Sox did not have any clear choices for opening day. The 24-year-old Crochet has impressed in spring training, striking out 12 and walking none in nine scoreless innings, despite only starting in one of his four Cactus League appearances.
Standing at 6-foot-6, left-handed pitcher Crochet was selected as the No. 11 overall pick by Chicago in the 2020 amateur draft from the University of Tennessee. He missed the 2022 season while recovering from Tommy John surgery.
Throughout his career, he has a 3-7 record with a 2.71 ERA and 85 strikeouts in 73 innings. Now he has the opportunity to demonstrate his abilities as a starter.
Crochet expressed gratitude and humility, stating that he had worked hard during spring training and received support from experienced players, leading to his successful performances. He felt that he had earned the opportunity, which he had been anticipating for a while.
SHOWALTER’S NEW JOB
Former New York Mets manager Buck Showalter is set to return to MLB Network as an analyst. The network announced Showalter's reappointment on Monday.
Showalter previously served as part of MLB Network from 2020 to 2021. He was recognized as the NL Manager of the Year after leading the Mets to 101 victories in 2022, but was dismissed following a drop to 75-87 in the last season.
BRAVES OPTION ELDER, YNOA
Bryce Elder, who earned a spot on the NL All-Star team with the Atlanta Braves in the previous season but experienced struggles later on, has been sent to the minors.
The decision to send both Elder and Huascar Ynoa to the minors indicated that Reynaldo López will serve as the fifth starter in a rotation which includes Spencer Strider, Max Fried, Charlie Morton, and Chris Sale. López signed a $30 million, three-year contract with the Braves in November.
López has started 97 games in his career, but only one in the last two seasons, when he excelled as a relief pitcher.
RANGERS’ BOCHY OPTIMISTIC ON SBORZ
Texas Rangers manager Bruce Bochy remains positive about reliever Josh Sborz's progress for the season opener. Sborz has not participated in a spring training game since March 6 due to knee soreness.
Sborz, who played a crucial role for the Rangers in securing the World Series victory in Game 5 against Arizona, was scheduled to engage in live batting practice on Monday.
World Series MVP Corey Seager, who underwent sports hernia surgery in January, engaged in live batting practice for the first time in camp on Monday. The shortstop also practiced fielding and throwing.
POSITIVE INDICATION FOR YANKEES
Carlos Rodón’s initial season with the New York Yankees was not successful, but the left-hander has demonstrated signs this spring that he may be prepared to recover.
Rodón had five strikeouts, one walk, and did not give up any hits in 5 2/3 innings against the Philadelphia Phillies, resulting in a scoreless performance. He reduced his Grapefruit League ERA to 2.93.
He threw 50 out of 72 pitches for strikes and hit 96 mph with his fastball before being taken out of the game by former Yankees manager Joe Torre, who is acting as a guest instructor.
“I glanced up and thought, ‘Oh, it's Joe Torre,’” Rodón remarked. “So I had to hand over the ball. It was nice. I mean, everyone knows who Joe Torre is, and he received a warm reception when he came out there.”
Torre, who led the team to four World Series titles and six AL pennants, is in uniform at Steinbrenner Field for the first time since his final spring training as New York manager in 2007. He showed up at camp on Friday.
Rodón is set to commence the second game of the regular season on March 29 in Houston.
Last season, he went 3-8 with a 6.85 ERA in 14 starts after signing a six-year, $162 million contract with the Yankees. He missed the beginning of the season due to a strained forearm and later grappled with a back injury.
BAUER SET TO PITCH FOR MEXICAN TEAM
Trevor Bauer revealed that he will pitch for the Mexican team Diablos Rojos in their Sunday exhibition game against the Yankees.
The 2020 NL Cy Young Award recipient is endeavoring to make a comeback to Major League Baseball for the first time in three years following a lengthy suspension by MLB and his release from the Los Angeles Dodgers after being accused of sexual assault by a woman.
Bauer, 33, announced on Monday in a post on X that he has also agreed to pitch five games for Diablos Rojos from April 11 to May 8 “instead of a traditional spring training period, as it is the best way for me to remain ready to pitch.”
