HOUSTON — Randal Grichuk’s two-run double off Astros reliever Tatsuya Imai broke open the White Sox’ 5-1 victory on Tuesday. But the bigger development was Grichuk getting an opportunity to face right-handed pitching at all.
The 35-year-old’s brilliance as a midseason pickup has been his ability to mash left-handed pitching on command. While his spot in the lineup against right-handed starter Ronel Blanco was partially about a rest day for rookie Braden Montgomery, it also was about not letting Grichuk rust during a long absence of traditional opportunities.
“Minnesota, back home, it’s going to be all righties,” Grichuk said of the coming series against the Twins. “Sprinkle some at-bats in, to where it’s not a huge layoff, definitely huge for feel and the rhythm.”
Manager Will Venable loves playing platoon matchups, and hunting value on the margins remains vital as the Sox push to clinch the American League Central title. Simultaneously, the presence of newly acquired right-handed outfielders Brenton Doyle and Tommy Pham, alongside Grichuk, give the Sox a host of players they want to keep active in some form.
“We’re going to have to figure out how to keep them involved,” Venable said. “There will be [pinch-hit] opportunities during the game. I’m not sure exactly how we’ll get them starts, to be honest.”
To drive the point home, Venable admitted utilityman Luisangel Acuña likely won’t start a game all this week.
“We’ve been transparent with them about what it looks like for them over this next stretch,” Venable said.
From opening day starter to Triple-A reliever
Shane Smith’s last two outings with Triple-A Charlotte have been in relief, as the White Sox abandon ideas of restoring his place in the rotation this year. Those outings have also both been scoreless.
“He’s an option,” Venable said of Smith’s chances of contributing to the major league bullpen. “I was looking at videos today, I think he looks really good.”
Vasil has a date
Dugout cheerleader extraordinaire Mike Vasil rushed from the airport to the ballpark Tuesday night to celebrate a victory with teammates, but he also had personal reasons to smile. Vasil’s visit to Dr. Keith Meister in Dallas saw him cleared to play catch on Sept. 18, which will be his first time throwing since undergoing Tommy John surgery.
“As much fun as I’ve had, it’s not even close to the same as actually playing,” Vasil said.
Brazoban begins rehab
Eight days after being placed on the injured list with a strained left lat muscle, right-handed reliever Huascar Brazoban began a Triple-A rehab assignment on Wednesday.
That normally would suggest a swift return for an important White Sox trade-deadline acquisition, but Brazoban allowed six runs in his last five innings before his injury, and the Sox want to see a return to form before he’s activated.
“The key with him is execute the changeup,” pitching coach Zach Bove told the Sun-Times. “So [hitters] have to honor something else. Because if not, then he’s boxed into being pretty much a one-pitch guy.”
Bush and Berroa update
After both underwent Tommy John surgery in spring 2025, Ky Bush and Prelander Berroa have also been sidelined all this year with setbacks in their rehab process.
Bush is officially done for the season due to a left lat strain, while Berroa will throw off a mound again next week for the first time since May.