After entering the game behind an opener and flummoxing Cubs hitters for six scoreless innings on only 68 pitches last week, White Sox right-hander Jose Urquidy needed 65 pitches just to get through the top of the second inning Monday night in his first start since 2023.
Without command of his changeup, Urquidy walked four and was unable to put away Rangers hitters, allowing six hits and five runs and leaving after three innings in an 11-2 blowout loss at Rate Field.
“We came out with not a lot of energy, and that showed,” said center fielder Tristan Peters, who homered for a third game in a row with a two-run blast off Kumar Rocker (5-10) in the second inning.
Trevor Richards threw a whopping 61 pitches for a Sox bullpen that already leads MLB in innings, partially because of all the openers manager Will Venable uses. He’s bound to use more, as the future of the Sox rotation looks muddled.
“We need every inning we get, every out we can get, and he’s going to be part of the formula,” Venable said of Urquidy, although he didn’t commit to what role he would play.
Davis Martin will throw another bullpen session Tuesday as he works back from a blister on his middle finger; he won’t be an option to replace anyone until after he makes a rehab start. Erick Fedde has been adequate for four to five innings when used behind an opener, but the Sox quickly moved him to relief when the opportunity arose at the start of August. Drew Thorpe will make another Triple-A rehab start Tuesday, but the Sox haven’t spoken decisively about his future role.
They have been more clear about expecting Noah Schultz, 22, to return after his demotion and make starts down the stretch. But neither of Schultz’s last two starts at Triple-A Charlotte exceeded 50 pitches as the Sox monitor his innings.
“It’s part of managing the entire comprehensive workload for him this year,” Venable said. “At the same time, he’s got to pitch and get back to form and accomplish some of the things that he’s working on.”
Top prospect gets new glove
Vaunted third-base prospect Caleb Bonemer will get reps in center field at Double-A Birmingham and also is expected to play some outfield in the Arizona Fall League. Bonemer, 20, has 33 home runs this season, the most by a Sox minor-leaguer in 15 years. League scouts, however, view him as a below-average infielder.
Nishida at the ready
Outfielder Rikuu Nishida will be activated Tuesday so another Sox player can be placed on bereavement leave. The Japanese-born Nishida hit a balanced .241/.241/.241 in 12 major-league games earlier this season.
No timeline on Teel
Catcher Kyle Teel (sprained left ankle) and left-handed reliever Chris Murphy (strained flexor) will begin rehab assignments Tuesday at Charlotte. Venable said Teel will catch and serve as the designated hitter for multiple games. He will return to the big-league team once the Sox “can confirm he’s performing well, he’s feeling good and he’s recovering well.”
Relocation better than removal
Colson Montgomery, with a .566 OPS and a 40.1% strikeout rate since the All-Star break, has been moved out of the Sox’ cleanup spot. Venable said he doesn’t see a “mental break” out of the lineup as necessary, citing Montgomery’s good attitude and better at-bats on the recent road trip.
“I think that right now he’s in a good spot,” Venable said.