REPORT: White Sox Announce big roster mover after Jesse Scholten’s disastrous injury

The White Sox currently have a full 40-man roster, meaning they’ll need to make some difficult decisions if they want to add players before Spring Training. However, they may gain some roster flexibility in the coming days. The 60-day injured list, which is removed five days after the World Series, becomes available again when pitchers and catchers report to camp. With the White Sox scheduled to report on February 12, right-hander Jesse Scholtens is expected to be placed on the 60-day IL.

Scholtens, 30, underwent Tommy John surgery on March 1 and will miss the entire 2024 season. Recovery time for the procedure varies but typically ranges from 12 to 18 months. While the team will monitor his progress before making an official move, there’s little urgency to rush him back. Scholtens has a career 5.29 ERA and isn’t projected to be part of the starting rotation, though his ability to eat innings remains valuable. In the minors, he made 20-plus starts in four straight seasons and appeared in 26 games for the White Sox in his debut season, including 11 starts under former manager Pedro Grifol. He struggled as a starter, going 0-6 with a 5.87 ERA, 38 strikeouts, and as a reliever posted a 1-3 record with a 4.31 ERA, 20 strikeouts, and a save.

The White Sox have several options to fill a long-relief or depth role, including Bryse Wilson, Tyler Gilbert, and Jared Shuster. If necessary, they could designate Scholtens for assignment instead of placing him on the 60-day IL. However, with only 85 career MLB innings, he has shown glimpses of promise. In 2021, he became the first right-handed pitcher in El Paso Chihuahuas history (Triple-A affiliate of the Padres) to record over 100 strikeouts while maintaining a strikeout rate above 9.0 per nine innings. By moving him to the 60-day IL, the White Sox can keep him in the system while freeing up a roster spot for additional moves.