The White Sox are coming off their first four game losing streak of the season, as they were just swept in Boston by the Red Sox and were trounced by the Cleveland Guardians last night in Chicago.
This is not how the White Sox were looking to start after the trade deadline, as just before, they split with the New York Yankees and took two out of three from the Tampa Bay Rays in Tampa Bay. Now, the White Sox have just a two game lead over the Guardians for first place in the AL Central.
The White Sox went into the trade deadline needing upgrades in the rotation, bullpen, and at catcher. While they did add at every spot, many were underwhelmed with who they added. Now, after giving up 38 runs in their last four games, the White Sox have made some significant moves to hopefully right the ship.
According to the White Sox, they have called up Hagen Smith and Tanner McDougal to the major league roster, while sending down Noah Schultz and David Sandlin. As a corresponding move, Wikelman Gonzalez was DFA’d to make room for Smith on the 40-man roster.
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This is a much needed reset of the White Sox pitching staff, as outside of Noah Schultz’s start against Tampa Bay, he has not kept the White Sox in games. Now, the White Sox will see what they can get out of Smith and McDougal as relievers, as they are both highly touted prospects.
Smith has had an odd season, as he has looked elite at times, while other times he can’t seem to find his control. Overall, he has 4.32 ERA over 58 innings. He has struck out 87, which is good for an elite 13.42 K/9 ratio. He has been much more effective in the strike zone as a reliever, so hopefully that will benefit the White Sox down the stretch.
Hagen Smith last 5 appearances:
5 1/3 IP
1 H
0 ER
8 K / 2 BB
.059 BAASomeone to keep an eye on…pic.twitter.com/Q9URZ4InOH
— Just Another Year: White Sox (@JAYChi_WhiteSox) August 7, 2026
McDougal has flown up prospect rankings over the last year and he will be someone to keep an eye on long term. So far this year he has a 3.44 ERA in 36 innings, striking out 44 batters. He also has a solid 1.15 WHIP. He started out as a starter this season, but transitioned to the ‘pen after returning from his injury. Both he and Smith will make the jump back to the rotation after this season.
Tanner McDougal had himself a day yesterday!! The White Sox #6 ranked prospect fanned 8 batters in 4 innings, only giving up one run.
Looks like he wants to keep his stint in Charlotte as brief as possible 👀👀👀pic.twitter.com/Og9HpJWRB6
— Pipeline to 35th (@PipelineTo35th) March 29, 2026
Schultz and Sandlin will likely still be very good major league pitchers, but they have some work to do in AAA. Any other year they would be up on the roster working through this rough stretch, but since the White Sox are in the division race, they don’t have the opportunity to let young pitchers work through their struggles.
Perhaps the most surprising move is DFA’ing Wikelman Gonzalez, who was acquired just last year in the Garrett Crochet trade. While Gonzalez has been bad since returning from his injury this season, he started off hot. At the end of April, he had a sub 3 ERA and hitters were only hitting .209 off him. That is pretty impressive. Hopefully he clears waivers and rejoins the Charlotte Knights, but odds are another team will claim him.
The White Sox long term success hinges on the success of not just Hagen Smith and Tanner McDougal, but Noah Schultz, and to an extent David Sandlin as well. If they can pitch to their potential, the White Sox can focus their attention on adding stars instead of having to go out and buy a whole new rotation. With Smith and McDougal in the White Sox ‘pen, they hopefully can stop the bleeding from this past week.
