The White Sox Opening Day roster is starting to take shape with reported decisions on these three players.
The Chicago White Sox are in the process of finalizing their 2023 Opening Day roster. Reports surfaced Sunday regarding a couple of players that missed the cut. According to Daryl Van Schouwen of the Chicago Sun-Times, utility man Leury Garcia will not be on the Opening Day roster. Additionally, relief pitchers Nick Avila and Bryan Shaw will not have spots in the bullpen, per The Athletic's James Fegan.
Garcia not making the Opening Day roster is the most notable development here. The longest-tenured member of the White Sox is still under contract for two more seasons after signing a three-year deal last winter.
In 2022, Garcia slashed a dismal .210/.233/.267 with three home runs and 20 RBIs in 97 games. The 32-year-old didn't do much to stand out this spring as he went 8-for-36 with four doubles in 15 games.
With Leury Garcia on the outside looking in, the White Sox will likely utilize Hanser Alberto in a utility role.
As for the bullpen, it will be interesting to see what the Sox do with Nick Avila. The Rule 5 Draft pick posted a 7.20 ERA and 1.200 WHIP with 12 strikeouts and three walks across 10 innings during Spring Training. According to Fegan, the White Sox could potentially find a way to keep Avila in the organization.
Finally, Bryan Shaw, who joined the Sox in camp on a minor-league deal, will likely seek a bullpen role elsewhere. The veteran right-hander had a 1.08 ERA and 1.320 WHIP with four strikeouts and five walks across 8.1 innings of exhibition action.
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