White Sox Finally Beat the Tigers, Shuffle Roster in Wake of Injuries

Chicago sent Elko back down to Triple-A Charlotte in a head-scratching move that also included first baseman Andrew Vaughn accompanying him. 

That left the team with no natural first baseman on the active roster. Miguel Vargas has seen the bulk of the innings at first. Sosa, before landing on the IL, also filled in, albeit not always smoothly.

One such appearance at first base went sideways fast in the Texas Rangers series finale, when Sosa failed to cover the bag and a lead slipped away. While his bat has provided slightly below-average production, defensively, there just hasn’t been a fit.

Q-Sick Joins the Party

Cusick, the newly acquired right-hander, was originally a first-round pick by the Atlanta Braves in 2021. Despite that pedigree, most of his professional innings have come in the Athletics organization until he joined the Tigers last week. 

While he entered pro ball as a starter, Cusick has worked primarily out of the bullpen the past two seasons. He likely backfills Caleb Freeman, who the South Siders called up when Jonathan Cannon hit the injured list, on the Knights.

What’s On Tap Next?

The Sox could desperately use a power boost with Elko back in the everyday lineup. Even after scoring eight runs last night, the offense has been largely anemic throughout 2025, particularly in one-run games, where they sit at a comically dismal 3-15.

Tonight’s contest will be a bullpen game, with left-hander Jared Shuster getting the start. Jonathan Cannon’s rotation spot remains unclaimed, and Cusick could eventually be used to help cover innings alongside Shuster, Bryse Wilson, and others. 

Until then, the White Sox will continue to patch things together with duct tape, hope, and whatever arms are still standing.