The Chicago White Sox will carry nine relievers on their opening-day roster.
That’s as much a function of the schedule as anything else.
“Technically we don’t need the fifth starter until April 3 because of the off day (Friday),” general manager Chris Getz said Wednesday. “In the meantime it made sense to go with the nine-man bullpen and adjust when the fifth starter comes around. It gives us protection for the early piece of the season.”
The Sox announced their roster ahead of Thursday’s season opener against the Detroit Tigers at Guaranteed Rate Field.
Garrett Crochet, Michael Soroka, Erick Fedde and Chris Flexen are the four starters. The bullpen includes rookie Jordan Leasure, who had a tremendous spring training.
The 25-year-old right-hander, acquired as part of a trade last season with the Los Angeles Dodgers, reached Triple A last season. He had a 1.93 ERA and 11 strikeouts in 10 relief appearances this spring.
“I have a tough time finding a guy who was more productive than Jordan Leasure,” Getz said. “I love the mindset, love the stuff, and feel like he’s going to be an asset for us in the bullpen.”
Here’s a look at the 26-man roster for opening day.
Right-handed pitchers (10)
John Brebbia, Erick Fedde, Chris Flexen, Deivi García, Michael Kopech, Jordan Leasure, Dominic Leone, Bryan Shaw, Michael Soroka and Steven Wilson.
Left-handed pitchers (3)
Tanner Banks, Garrett Crochet and Tim Hill.
Catchers (2)
Korey Lee and Martín Maldonado.
Infielders (6)
Paul DeJong, Nicky Lopez, Yoán Moncada, Gavin Sheets, Braden Shewmake and Andrew Vaughn.
Outfielders (5)
Andrew Benintendi, Dominic Fletcher, Eloy Jiménez, Kevin Pillar and Luis Robert Jr.
Lee joins Maldonado as an option behind the plate after the Sox placed Max Stassi on the injured list Monday with left hip inflammation.
“He’s had hip issues in the past,” Getz said of Stassi. “We don’t think it’s going to be too significant in regards to time being missed but we felt like, considering we didn’t get a consistent runway in preparation for the season, to put him on the IL and build him out appropriately so we can avoid any hiccups for the remainder of the year.”
The Sox will announce all of their corresponding roster moves before Thursday’s game.