Brandon

Finnegan

Finnegan signed a minor league contract with the White Sox back in December and has been cut loose after posting an inflated 6.13 ERA, 1.79 WHIP and 45/27 K/BB ratio across 39 2/3 innings (31 appearances, three starts) this season for Triple-A Charlotte. The 29-year-old former first-round pick hasn’t appeared in the majors since the 2018 campaign.

The second round of White Sox’ cuts includes some notable names as they have 42 players left in camp this spring. Céspedes made some serious noise in the Cactus League and appears to be on the precipice of making an impact in the big leagues, possibly as soon as later this season.

Finnegan didn’t walk anyone, didn’t allow a hit and didn’t strike anyone out. The left-hander is battling for a spot on the Chicago pitching staff, but faces an uphill battle. More outings like this can’t hurt.

Nothing official from the White Sox yet, but Finnegan made the announcement on his personal Twitter account. The 28-year-old left-hander hasn’t appeared in the majors since 2018 and was released by the Reds last month. He posted a lackluster 5.53 ERA, 1.70 WHIP and 57/36 K/BB ratio across 55 1/3 innings at Triple-A Louisville last season. He’ll provide Chicago with some additional relief depth entering the 2022 campaign.

Finnegan hasn’t appeared in the majors since the 2018 campaign. The 28-year-old lefty reliever spent the entire 2021 campaign at Triple-A Louisville, posting an underwhelming 5.53 ERA, 1.70 WHIP and 57/36 K/BB ratio across 55 1/3 innings.

Reds skipper David Bell said Friday that the moves were made because both Finnegan and India were competing for big league jobs, so both deserved to officially be non-roster invitees. Bell has been raving about Finnegan this spring, saying Friday that he’s “on the brink of being back in the big leagues”. The 27-year-old southpaw has yet to allow a run through three innings of Cactus League play, posting a 3/0 K/BB ratio in the process.

Finnegan retired all six batters he faced -- one via strikeout -- and didn’t allow a ball out of the infield. The 27-year-old former top prospect hasn’t appeared in a game at the major league level since 2018 and will probably have to put on a heck of a show this spring to gain consideration for the Opening Day roster in Cincinnati.

Their pool now sits at 57 players. Finnegan looked at one point like he’d be a rotation mainstay, but he spent last season in the minors (and held a 6.60 ERA).

Finnegan cleared waivers after being designated for assignment by the Reds last week. The 25-year-old has made just nine appearances in the majors over the past two seasons and will function as depth at this point.

Finnegan was a highly-regarded pitching prospect at one point in his career, but the 25-year-old southpaw holds a 6.15 ERA over his last 33 2/3 major league innings since the beginning of the 2017 season. He could get a fresh chance with a rebuilding club.