White Sox to call up Hagen Smith, Tanner McDougal

Not appearing to realize the consequences of his actions, manager Will Venable came out one batter after pitching coach Zach Bove did with the White Sox down 2-0 on the first. That means Schultz had to exit, and David Sandlin, who wasn’t previously warming up, entered the game. It’d be a bad look regardless, but this was pretty incredible timing for such a misstep, given that the White Sox used their entire bullpen in losing in 13 innings Thursday.

Sandlin has a 6.05 ERA in four appearances (three starts) with Chicago and a 2.17 ERA in 12 starts between High-A Winston-Salem and Triple-A Charlotte this year. He’ll likely work long relief in the bigs for the moment.

Schultz came into a scoreless game after Jordan Hicks pitched the first and gave up a lone run on a single, a steal and another single in the fifth. It was one of his best outings to date, but it didn’t stop him from dropping to 3-8 in 14 outings. Still, it’s really encouraging that he went without a walk for the third time in four starts. He’s walked just two in his last four appearances after issuing 29 free passes over 48 innings in his first 10. He’ll likely face the Guardians on Friday.

Schultz gave up two hits, walked two and struck out five. The 22-year-old left-hander kept the Yankees off the scoreboard for three innings. In the fourth inning, the first three batters reached before Schultz got Anthony Volpe to ground out. Schultz was removed at that point and both of his runners that were inherited by the bullpen scored. Schultz has completed five innings only three times in his last nine starts. He has a 6.15 ERA and a 5.13 xFIP in 60 innings. Schultz is lined up to face the Rays on the road on Saturday, but could be the odd man out of the rotation if the White Sox trade for a starting pitcher before the deadline.

The White Sox’s fifth overall pick from the 2024 MLB Draft, Smith had been sidelined with a shoulder impingement but returned last Monday and has now made two appearances at Triple-A since. His fastball velocity was up to 97 mph, and he looked healthy on Friday. James Fox of Future Sox reports that Smith is expected to finish this season as a member of the White Sox bullpen and then compete for a starting spot in 2027.

Sandlin walked three and struck out two while throwing 34 of 61 pitches for strikes. Obviously, the command leaves something to be desired, but Sandlin was able to avoid major damage and now has a 2.37 ERA in nine starts at Triple-A this season. With Noah Schultz struggling in the Majors and the two pitchers on the same pitching schedule, it’s fair to wonder if Sandlin will get the next shot for the White Sox when that spot comes back around.

Schultz has had just one decent start in four turns since coming off the IL and that was against an A’s team that doesn’t score on the road. He has a 6.04 ERA and a 49/29 K/BB ratio in 56 2/3 innings overall. He’ll probably face the Yankees on Monday, but he’s in line to be replaced in the White Sox add a starter before the deadline.

Smith also threw one inning of relief on Sunday, allowing one run on one hit in one inning while walking three and striking out two. Three walks while coming off a month’s absence for a shoulder impingement is not the best sign. Hopefully it’s just some rust that needs to be shaken off.

Schultz didn’t give up another run after allowing a solo homer to Shea Langeliers in the first. The 22-year-old had easily his best start since being activated off the injured list, and it’s a very positive development for the surprising White Sox as Schultz will need to be better for them to be true playoff contenders. Expect him to get the ball at some point next weekend after the break.

McDougal has now made three appearances out of the bullpen at Triple-A since returning from right forearm tightness, pitching one inning in each of them. In his first six outings of the year, McDougal had been operating as a starter, but the 23-year-old, who was put on the injured list back on April 29th, seems to be operating as a reliever for the remainder of the 2026 season. It remains to be seen if that is simply to keep his arm healthy or to expedite his path to the big leagues, but we would expect McDougal to go back to starting games in the 2027 season.