Thanks to a 95-minute rain delay, new White Sox starter Adrian Houser, signed before Tuesday’s game against the Mariners, had to wait a little longer than anticipated to make his season debut.
Consider it worth it. The veteran right-hander, 32, threw six scoreless innings, allowing just two hits, as the Sox rode Joshua Palacios’ RBI single in the third inning to a 1-0 win at Rate Field.
The Sox signed Houser to a one-year, $1.35 million contract and immediately scheduled him in place of Bryse Wilson. Houser, who had last played in the majors in the first half of 2024 with the Mets, signed a minor-league deal with the Rangers in December and went 2-2 with a 5.03 ERA over nine appearances, including eight starts, for their Triple-A affiliate before he was granted his release last Thursday.
Drafted in the second round in 2011 by the Astros, Houser (1-0) came to the Sox with a career record of 32-39 with a 4.21 ERA. He made one earlier start at Rate Field in 2020 with the Brewers.
The Sox liked his experience and velocity, which they said was up a tick in the minors.
“He’s going to put the ball on the ground against righties, and [he’s] got some different ways to get lefties out,” manager Will Venable said. “Excited to add him to the mix.”
Starting pitching has been one of the lone bright spots for the Sox this season. Venable said Houser will stay in the rotation.
To make room for him, the Sox designated reliever Yoendrys Gomez for assignment.
Wilson back to bullpen
Wilson couldn’t successfully transition from the bullpen to a starting role. Over four starts (17⅔ innings), he had a 6.62 ERA. Opponents were batting .355/.419/.566 against him.
Wilson took Martin Perez’s role in the rotation after Perez went on the 60-day injured list in late April. Venable said he’ll now provide bulk out of the bullpen.
“Relievers largely depend on their strengths,” Venable said. “They go into game plans and attack modes with their strengths. [Starters] mix in a hitter’s weaknesses a little more. [Bryce] might have just gotten away from . . . what he does well.”
Latest on Benintendi
Left fielder Andrew Benintendi (strained left calf) began his rehab assignment at Triple-A Charlotte after running the bases Sunday at Wrigley Field.
He was put on the 10-day injured list May 7 after exiting a game against the Astros three days earlier after complaining of discomfort as he ran the bases.
Benintendi is batting .224/.298/.400 in 24 games. This is his second stint on the IL after being out from April 7 to 17 with a strained left adductor. He also missed much of spring training after breaking his right hand.
“He’s really ramping up the baseball activities, feels confident that he’s healing well,” Venable said. “With this [calf injury], we want to . . . of course get him out there as soon as possible, but really honor the fact that he’s had a couple of these little things pop up and wants to do the right thing and take care of it.”