BREAKING: The Chicago White Sox have officially placed All-Star right-hander Shane Smith on the 15-day injured list due to a sprained left ankle, effective July 15, 2023. This urgent move comes just days after Smith’s participation in the All-Star Game, where he faced two batters in the eighth inning, hitting Eugenio Suarez with a pitch before retiring James Wood.
Smith, 25, has had a challenging season, currently holding a record of 3-7 with a 4.26 ERA and 81 strikeouts in 18 starts for the White Sox. Notably, he is the franchise’s first rookie pitcher to earn an All-Star selection. The severity of his ankle injury and the exact time of its occurrence remain unclear, raising concerns for the team’s prospects moving forward.
In a series of roster adjustments, the White Sox have also recalled right-hander Wikelman Gonzalez from Triple-A Charlotte to fill the void left by Smith. Gonzalez, 23, boasts an impressive 6-0 record with a 4.44 ERA in 16 relief appearances at the minor league level. He previously logged a 4.50 ERA in two outings with the White Sox earlier this season.
Additionally, the team activated outfielder Brooks Baldwin from the 10-day IL. Baldwin, who has been recovering from a lower back strain, is batting .227 with four homers and 20 RBIs in 54 games this season. Conversely, outfielder Will Robertson has been optioned back to Charlotte after struggling with a 0-for-6 performance and four strikeouts in his brief tenure with Chicago.
As the White Sox navigate this challenging period, fans are left to wonder how Smith’s absence will impact the team’s playoff aspirations. With critical matchups on the horizon, the franchise will be closely monitoring Smith’s recovery while relying on Gonzalez to step up in his absence.
Stay tuned for more updates on this developing story as the White Sox seek to overcome this latest hurdle during a pivotal part of the season.
