Opening Day is still more than a week away, but it appears that the White Sox have already made some decisions regarding the bullpen. Elijah Evans of Just Baseball reported this afternoon that left-handed reliever Chris Murphy has made the team and will serve as the second lefty in the bullpen behind recent free agent signing Sean Newcomb.
Murphy’s Player Profile
Murphy, 27, was acquired in a minor trade with the Red Sox last November that sent catching prospect Ronny Hernandez to Boston. The lefty recorded strong numbers in a small sample with the Red Sox in 2025, putting up a 3.12 ERA, 1.18 WHIP, and 7.8 K/9 in 23 appearances. While his 1.5 strikeout-to-walk ratio across 34.2 innings leaves room for improvement, he proved that his stuff plays against MLB hitters. They hit just .172 against him in 148 plate appearances last season with his six pitch arsenal giving him the weapons to neutralize both lefties and righties. His success last year has carried over this spring as well. Across ten innings, he has allowed just three runs, walking two and striking out 11.
Chris Murphy earned it this spring. Good move for the bullpen. #WhiteSox
📊: @TJStats https://t.co/1HOfuvn1vs pic.twitter.com/do7ZsaJtie
— Adrian White (@AdrianWhiteSox) March 16, 2026
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With Murphy taking the second lefty role in the bullpen, Brandon Eisert and Tyler Gilbert appear to be the odd men out. The pair of left-handers made 118 appearances for the team last season but could now be squeezed off the team in a roster crunch. Both still have minor league options, so the White Sox can stash them at Triple-A Charlotte for depth if they choose that route. This development also makes it less likely that non-roster invitee Ryan Borucki will make the Opening Day roster, despite his strong showing this spring.
White Sox Rule 5 Bust
Murphy making the team wasn’t the only bullpen development this afternoon. James Fegan of Sox Machine also reported this afternoon that right-handed pitcher Alexander Alberto is now on waivers. Alberto, 24, was a Rule 5 pick by the White Sox this offseason and looked to have a chance to make the team if he performed this spring. Unfortunately for him, that did not happen. He recorded a 10.80 ERA and 2.40 WHIP across 6.2 innings, and the move signals that the team is willing to risk losing him. If he goes unclaimed, the White Sox will have to offer him back to the Rays for $50,000.
The clock was ticking on their decision on both Alberto and fellow Rule 5 pick Jedixson Paez regarding whether or not they would make the Opening Day roster. The latter is still with the team and could now make the Opening Day roster depending on the severity of Mike Vasil’s elbow injury.
