White Sox Receive Drew Thorpe Update

The 25-year-old right-hander underwent Tommy John surgery last April, causing him to miss all of 2025. His recovery hit another speed bump after undergoing an appendectomy in May.

Thorpe made his MLB debut with Chicago on June 11, 2024, and made a great first impression. Against the Seattle Mariners, he allowed two runs (one earned) on three hits, two walks, and struck out four over five innings.

However, over his next eight starts, Thorpe posted a 5.95 ERA before missing the rest of the season due to a right flexor strain. In nine starts, he finished 2024 with a 3-3 record and a 5.48 ERA over 44.1 innings. He had his share of command issues, surrendering 21 walks compared to 25 strikeouts, but held opposing hitters to a .212 batting average.

Additionally, five of Thrope's nine starts were quality starts, and 21 of the 27 earned runs he allowed came in just three outings.

Outside of those three rough starts, Thorpe showed flashes of becoming an exciting young starter before his season ended due to injury.

Thorpe was previously traded from the New York Yankees to the San Diego Padres as part of the five-player return for Juan Soto and Trent Grisham in December 2023. Three months later, he was sent from the Padres to the White Sox as the top prospect in a four-player package for ace Dylan Cease.

A return timetable for Thorpe remains uncertain. He will also need to complete a rehab assignment before pitching in a major league game again. However, throwing a live bullpen session is a major step forward in what has been a long and bumpy recovery.

Pitchers Ky Bush and Prelander Berroa are also making progress in their recoveries from Tommy John surgery. Bush has been participating in long toss, while Berroa is expected to resume throwing in the next one or two weeks.

The White Sox will certainly be cautious with their young right-hander and prized trade acquisition. However, if Thorpe continues to progress without setbacks, he could make his major league return before the end of the 2026 season.

He could even become an important arm for the White Sox down the stretch as they enter Sunday tied with the Cleveland Guardians atop the AL Central.

Chicago (46-42) will look to salvage a split with Cleveland on Sunday at 2:00 pm ET.