With Opening Day just around the corner, the Chicago White Sox are still putting the finishing touches on their roster — and one late development has complicated those plans.
Jun 19, 2025; Detroit, Michigan, USA; Pittsburgh Pirates pitcher Ryan Borucki (43) pitches in the eighth inning against the Detroit Tigers at Comerica Park. Mandatory Credit: Rick Osentoski-Imagn Images | Rick Osentoski-Imagn Images
Ryan Borucki won’t be part of it.
After an impressive spring, the veteran left-hander exercised an opt-out clause in his contract when it became clear he wouldn’t make the Opening Day roster. Within days, he landed a major league deal with the San Francisco Giants.
It’s a quick turnaround — and one that could leave Chicago thin in an area where depth already mattered.
Borucki, 31, entered camp as a low-risk addition on a minor league deal. But he quickly forced his way into the conversation with his performance.
Over six scoreless innings this spring, he allowed just three hits while striking out eight. It wasn’t just effective — it was convincing enough to suggest he could play a meaningful role in a bullpen.
The problem was numbers.
The White Sox already had several left-handed options competing for limited spots, including Sean Newcomb, Chris Murphy, Tyler Gilbert, and Brandon Eisert. With that level of competition, there simply wasn’t room for everyone.
Borucki chose not to wait.
Rather than begin the season in Triple-A, he opted out and tested the market — a decision that paid off almost immediately. The Giants moved quickly, adding him to their major league roster.
For Chicago, the timing isn’t ideal.
The bullpen was already dealing with uncertainty, and Borucki’s departure only adds to it. Injuries, including one to Mike Vasil, have further thinned the group, leaving the team with fewer proven options heading into the season.
Manager Will Venable acknowledged that the roster is still unsettled.
That leaves the door open for additional moves.
One possibility could involve addressing needs through trade. Catcher Korey Lee, who appears to be on the roster bubble, could become a trade piece if the White Sox look to acquire bullpen help. Alternatively, the waiver wire could provide late solutions, as teams across the league finalize their own rosters.
This isn’t unfamiliar territory.
Just last season, Chicago made a late waiver claim that paid off when Vasil became a productive bullpen arm. The front office may be hoping for a similar outcome this time around.
Still, losing Borucki stings.
He didn’t just perform well — he offered a glimpse of stability in a bullpen that now feels more uncertain. And in a long season where pitching depth is constantly tested, those kinds of arms tend to matter more than expected.
The White Sox still have a few days to finalize their roster.
But with Opening Day fast approaching, one thing is clear — a decision made late in camp has already reshaped their plans.
Now, they’ll have to adjust quickly.
Leave a Reply