White Sox No. 5 Starter Currently Uncertain

Schultz's performance was another struggle in what has been a rough rookie campaign. Through 15 appearances (14 starts), Schultz is 3-9 with a 6.06 ERA and 1.42 WHIP over 65.1 innings. He has recorded 59 strikeouts against 31 walks, allowed nine home runs while hitting eight batters, and opponents are hitting .251 against him.

Schultz's demotion could cause Fedde to return to the rotation for the time being or a new face to step up.

The White Sox called up both left-hander Hagen Smith, Chicago's No. 2 prospect and MLB Pipeline 's No. 51 prospect, and Tanner McDougal (Chicago's No. 4 prospect) on Saturday.

Smith made his MLB debut on Sunday, replacing starter Davis Martin after a two-hour-plus rain delay. Although the circumstances were bizarre, Smith earned his first career win after pitching two scoreless innings in relief of Martin. Despite walking the bases loaded in the third inning after striking out three in the second, Smith escaped the jam by getting Brayan Rocchio to line out.

The former Arkansas star could be a solution for the currently vacant No. 5 rotation spot. In 20 appearances (14 starts) with Triple-A Charlotte this season, Smith is 1-6 with a 4.32 ERA and 1.35 WHIP over 58.1 innings.

While those numbers don't jump off the page, Smith has pitched like the guy Chicago selected with the No. 5 overall pick back in the 2024 MLB Draft since returning from a left shoulder impingement in mid-July.

Working in a relief role since coming off the Triple-A 7-day injured list on July 19, Smith allowed just one earned run over six appearances before being called up. So despite the fact that he hasn't started a game since June 13, Smith could find himself back in that role given the White Sox' need.

He is also a more realistic option for the rotation than McDougal, who has made just six starts over 17 appearances across High-A Winston-Salem and Triple-A Charlotte this season.

Nonetheless, a four-man rotation of Martin, Castillo, Anthony Kay, and Sean Burke is not sustainable. Therefore, an arm already within the organization will need to emerge as a solution as the White Sox hope to win the American League Central for the first time since 2021.

Entering an off day on Monday, Chicago (61-56) sits 3.5 games ahead of the Detroit Tigers atop the division. The White Sox open a three-game series with the Cincinnati Reds on Tuesday at 7:40 p.m. ET before a crucial series in Detroit starting Friday.