White Sox injuries and roster moves

April 26: OFs Tommy Pham, Rafael Ortega selected; OF Kevin Pillar, LHP Bailey Horn designated for assignment; OF Dominic Fletcher optioned to Triple-A Charlotte
Since signing with the White Sox as a Minor League free agent on April 16, Pham batted .294 with one RBI at Triple-A Charlotte. Last year, he helped the D-backs reach the World Series, delivering three homers in 16 postseason games.

Ortega played for the crosstown Cubs from 2021-22 and last season for the Mets. The 32-year-old had three home runs, 14 RBIs, 11 runs scored and 14 walks over 18 games with Charlotte this year.

Pillar, who signed with the club as a free agent before Spring Training, batted .160 with one home run and four RBIs in 17 games this season.

Horn went 1-1 with a 11.32 ERA and 15 strikeouts over nine relief appearances with Charlotte this year.

Mendick, 30, had homered in five straight games for the Knights, producing six doubles, eight home runs, 20 RBIs and 15 runs scored in 19 games with Charlotte this season. He leads the International League in slugging percentage and OPS (1.205) and ranks among the leaders in extra-base hits (T1st, 14), homers (T2nd), total bases (T3rd, 49) and RBIs (4th).

“Yeah, it was good,” Mendick said. “Honestly the homers came but it was never like I was thinking about it. I was always going up there with the same approach. Felt good. Hitting the ball hard.”

Nastrini, 24, went 0-2 with a 7.88 ERA over two starts with the White Sox after his contract was selected from Charlotte on April 15. Brebbia, 33, was placed on the 15-day injured list on April 8 (retroactive to April 6) with a right calf strain.

OF Luis Robert Jr. (right hip flexor strain)
Expected return: TBD
There’s no specific timetable for the return of Robert, although it will be longer than 10 days.

“I’m not feeling as bad as I was feeling in 2021,” said Robert, who suffered a similar but more severe injury in May of 2021, through interpreter Billy Russo. “It’s hard. Last night I couldn’t sleep just thinking about that. Out of the whole thing, that’s the hardest part.”

When asked about the injury on April 8, manager Pedro Grifol said that he wouldn’t put a date on Robert’s return, but that he was optimistic the 2023 All-Star wouldn’t miss too much time.

“He’s a premium athlete who prepares really well and his body heals really well because of the preparation in the offseason,” Grifol said. “To put a date on his complete recovery is not in our best interest and certainly not in anybody’s best interest. This guy wants to get back on the field, and when players have that drive to get back on the field things happen a little quicker than normal.” (Last updated: April 8)

C Max Stassi (left hip inflammation)
Expected return: TBD
Stassi, who was transferred to the 60-day IL on April 15, suffered a setback during his rehab assignment with Triple-A Charlotte when he was hit in the hand on a hitter’s backswing. So, Stassi will need to recover from that, along with his left hip inflammation.

“It’s not significant in regards to a fracture, but it slowed it down a little bit,” general manager Chris Getz said. “We want to get him to the point where he can catch back-to-back games and his body’s recovering before we bring him back.” (Last update: April 15)

3B Yoán Moncada (left adductor strain)
Expected return: Shortly after the All-Star break
While running to first on a ground ball in the top of the second inning on April 9, Moncada doubled over in pain and had to be helped off the field. A day later, he was placed on the injured list with a left adductor strain.

The estimated original recovery time for Moncada was 3-6 months, the team announced on April 10, but general manager Chris Getz gave a more optimistic return update on April 12. Moncada has hit .282 with three doubles and a triple in 11 games. (Last updated: April 12)

RHP Jimmy Lambert (right rotator cuff strain)
Expected return: TBD
Lambert visited Dr. Neal ElAttrache during Spring Training for a second opinion on his shoulder and was able to avoid surgery. He said something was there, but they had a program in place to try to treat it. He was placed on the 60-day IL on March 28. (Last updated: March 28)

LHP Shane Drohan (left shoulder surgery)
Expected return: TBD
The Rule 5 selection, who was taken in the Major League phase of the Draft, had what manager Pedro Grifol described as a nerve decompression. The plan was to have the southpaw start a throwing program right after the end of Spring Training. He was placed on the 60-day IL prior to Opening Day on March 28.

“I was really excited to watch him pitch,” Grifol said. “We are excited to be able to identify that, and then to have it be something that we can get through and start that program right at the end of spring.” (Last updated: March 28)

RHP Jesse Scholtens (Tommy John surgery)
Expected return: Early to mid-2025
Scholtens was scheduled to undergo surgery to repair a torn ulnar cruciate ligament in his right elbow on March 1 and is expected to miss the season. He was placed on the 60-day IL on Feb. 27 to make room for Bailey Horn, acquired from the Cubs. Scholtens was 1-9 with a 5.29 ERA in 26 appearances (11 starts) last season. (Last updated: Feb. 27)

RHP Matt Foster (Tommy John surgery)
Expected return: Mid-to-late 2024
Foster missed the entire 2023 season due to Tommy John surgery after he had the procedure on April 19. He was placed on the 60-day IL on Feb. 23. (Last updated: Feb. 23)