HOUSTON – A swap of left-handed relievers named Tyler on Monday morning kickstarted what should be a week full of roster shuffling for the American League Central-leading White Sox as they take on the Astros for a four-game series in Houston.
After missing this past weekend’s Twins series, Tyler Schweitzer was activated off the paternity list, taking the place of Tyler Gilbert. Having appeared in just five major league games this year, the 32-year-old Gilbert was the second reliever to appear in front of bulk pitcher Jose Urquidy in Sunday’s 5-1 loss to the Twins. Gilbert was charged with one run in 2 1/3 innings of work, but also allowed a first inning double to Trevor Larnach that plated two runners inherited from opener Jordan Hicks.
Schweitzer has posted a 3.64 ERA in 29 2/3 innings in the majors this year, filling a niche as a low-leverage long reliever in his rookie season; exemplified by him earning his first career save on June 30 for throwing the last four frames of a blowout victory in Baltimore.
“When a game goes and turns in a certain direction, I’m like, ‘All right, I need to start locking in,’” Schweitzer said. “I just call myself a reliever now, or honestly just a pitcher. Because whatever they need me to do, I’ll do it, and that’s what it’s been. Going up and down is part of the business aspect of the game.”
By MLB rules, rosters can expand by two additional spots as the calendar turns to Sept. 1. The White Sox are set to add one pitcher and one position player, and already have pending moves of each variety nearing in the form of players returning from injury.
Recovered from a blister on his middle finger and coming off five scoreless innings in a Triple-A rehab start, Davis Martin is expected to be activated off the injured list on Wednesday to start against the Astros. Starting catcher Kyle Teel went 3-for-4 with a double on Sunday in his fourth rehab appearance with Triple-A Charlotte. He also caught all nine innings for the first time since suffering a left ankle sprain in July, and likely will also return sometime this week.
Having lost most of his season to hamstring, knee and ankle injuries, Teel has just a .589 OPS in 19 games with the White Sox. But after hitting .273/.375/.411 in 78 games as a rookie last year, he’s expected to provide the lineup a lift upon return…eventually.
“I’m telling him more than anything, this is kind of like your spring training all over again,” said Sox hitting director Ryan Fuller. “But he’s feeling really good physically, and now it’s getting up to speed and make sure those ABs are there.”