White Sox Turning To Old Friend To Help The Starting Rotation?

You know what’s a dead giveaway that Rick Hahn has no interest in trying to have the 2019 White Sox compete for a Wild Card spot? The starting rotation. Even before Carlos Rodon had to undergo Tommy John surgery, the fifth spot in the rotation was just a revolving door, while Ivan Nova and Reynaldo Lopez have been two of the worst starters in MLB.

Ervin Santana, Manny Bañuelos, Dylan Covey and Odrisamer Despaigne have combined to make 21 of the team’s 75 starts this season and it looks like another castaway will get a chance to win a starting rotation spot.

Almost two weeks ago, the Mets DFA’d Hector Santiago and then he became a free agent.

One of the Mets' offseason pitching depth additions has left the organization. Left-hander Hector Santiago, whom the Mets' DFA'd last weekend, rejected an outright assignment to Triple-A Syracuse and declared free agency. He had a 6.75 ERA in eight big league appearances.

— Anthony DiComo (@AnthonyDiComo) June 19, 2019

A couple days later, the White Sox signed Santiago to a minor-league deal.

White Sox Sign Hector Santiago https://t.co/g0H5RmRxXd pic.twitter.com/0oNbNG4Kfa

— MLB Trade Rumors (@mlbtraderumors) June 21, 2019

The 31-year-old made his MLB debut in 2011, with the White Sox and also returned to the team in 2018.

On Monday, the White Sox DFA’d Despaigne, which means they currently have two open spots in the starting rotation. Santiago might be the newest starting pitcher for the 2019 White Sox.

Charlotte Knights says Héctor Santiago will start Tuesday’s game for them. That would put him in line with an open slot in the Sox big league rotation, though since they have two open slots now, that doesn’t take a whole lot of coordination

— James Fegan (@JRFegan) June 24, 2019

The White Sox have days off on Wednesday and next Monday, so they could skip one spot in the rotation and go with a four-man rotation.

In his career, Santiago has made 137 starts and has recorded a 4.19 ERA in 728.1 innings. However, from 2016-18, Santiago has struggled in 54 starts, posting a 5.04 ERA and 1.43 WHIP with the Angels, Twins and White Sox.

But before Santiago gets a shot (maybe) the White Sox could just plug Covey back in the rotation. He’s been out with a shoulder injury and threw a bullpen session on Sunday.

Dylan Covey [shoulder inflammation] threw a side today. Felt good. Wasn't thrilled with his location but got up and down, about 30 or 35 pitches total. Rehab assignment "possible" Renteria said. 'We'll see how he feels and we'll make a determination when we get to Boston."

— Daryl Van Schouwen (@CST_soxvan) June 23, 2019

Real desperate times for the White Sox when Dylan Covey is your best option to fill a rotation spot.

As for Dylan Cease, he’s hit the same mid-season road block that Michael Kopech had last year.

Dylan Cease's line for AAA Charlotte tonight:
5.2 IP, 9 H, 6 R, 5 ER, 3 BB, 7 K. ERA at 4.69.

Last four starts: 16.1 IP, 24 H, 16 ER, 11 BB, 13 K.

— Daryl Van Schouwen (@CST_soxvan) June 22, 2019

Cease will be called up by the White Sox this summer, but it’ll most likely be after the All-Star Game.