The Chicago White Sox didn’t wait long to admit this one wasn’t working.
Chicago White Sox pitcher Jedixson Paez (63) pitches during the sixth inning of the Opening Day game against the Milwaukee Brewers on Thursday March 26, 2026 at American Family Field in Milwaukee, Wisconsin. | Jovanny Hernandez / Milwaukee Journal Sentinel / USA TODAY NETWORK via Imagn Image
Just days into the 2026 season, the team has already moved on from one of its more puzzling roster decisions, designating young right-hander Jedixson Paez for assignment. With that move, Chicago has now parted ways with both of its Rule 5 Draft selections.
The outcome, while abrupt, feels inevitable in hindsight.
Paez, only 22 years old, entered the season as a surprising addition to the Opening Day roster. Taken from the Boston Red Sox organization, he had never pitched above High-A and showed inconsistent results during spring training.
May 6, 2025; Washington, District of Columbia, USA; Washington Nationals relief pitcher Lucas Sims (39) delivers a pitch during the seventh inning against the Cleveland Guardians at Nationals Park. Mandatory Credit: James A. Pittman-Imagn Images | James A. Pittman-Imagn Images
Even then, the White Sox chose to push him straight to the majors.
That gamble quickly unraveled.
In three appearances, Paez struggled to adjust to big-league competition. Across just 3.0 innings, he allowed six earned runs, surrendered two home runs, walked three batters, and failed to record a single strikeout.
The numbers told a clear story — he wasn’t ready.
Chicago likely understood the risk from the start. Rule 5 selections come with constraints, and once a player is returned, they often go right back to their original organization. In this case, that means the Red Sox will now have the opportunity to reclaim Paez.
Still, the decision to fast-track him raised questions.
The White Sox had other, more experienced options available but opted instead to bet on upside. It’s a strategy that has worked before — most notably with Shane Smith, who developed into an All-Star after being selected in the Rule 5 Draft.
But there was a key difference.
Smith had already proven himself at higher levels of the minors before getting his shot. Paez, by contrast, was still developing and may have been placed in a situation that accelerated his timeline too aggressively.
Now, the team is pivoting.
To fill the open roster spot, Chicago has called up veteran reliever Lucas Sims from Triple-A Charlotte. At 31 years old, Sims brings nearly a decade of major league experience — a stark contrast to the inexperience Paez offered.
It’s a clear signal of what the White Sox are prioritizing right now: stability.
Sims’ career has been uneven, including a difficult 2025 season with the Washington Nationals where he posted a high ERA. But there were encouraging signs this spring. In six appearances, he didn’t allow a run and showed the ability to generate swings and misses.
His early work in Charlotte has followed a similar pattern.
While command has been an issue at times — particularly his elevated walk rate last season — Sims offers a more predictable presence in a bullpen that has struggled to find consistency early on.
For Chicago, this move is less about upside and more about control.
The Paez experiment may have ended quickly, but it highlights a broader issue: balancing long-term potential with immediate competitiveness. In this case, the White Sox pushed too far in one direction — and paid the price.
Now, they’re trying to correct course before the damage goes any further.
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