Gio

Gonzalez

Gonzalez was in Marlins camp on a minor league contract and got lit up in his lone Grapefruit League appearance this past Saturday versus the Nationals, allowing seven earned runs on eight hits and two walks while recording only one out. The veteran southpaw has now decided to call it quits at age 35 and finishes with a career 3.70 ERA and 1,860 strikeouts in 1,933 total major league innings.

Woof. Gonzalez also walked a pair in addition to allowing eight hits. It was a continuous parade of baserunners throughout the evening against him. That’s certainly not the way that he wanted to debut, as Gonzalez now owns a miserable 189.00 ERA on the spring. The 35-year-old hurler is a longshot to crack the team’s Opening Day roster.

He’s expected to throw the equivalency of about two innings. González, 35, signed a minor league deal with the Marlins last week after posting a 4.83 ERA and 34/19 K/BB ratio in 31 2/3 innings with the White Sox in 2020. He’s angling for a swingman role with his new club.

The news was first reported Wednesday morning by Craig Mish of SportsGrid. Gonzalez had trouble gaining much traction in free agency this winter after struggling to a 4.83 ERA, 1.86 WHIP, and 34/19 K/BB ratio in 31 2/3 innings (four starts, eight relief appearances) last season with the White Sox. But the veteran left-hander -- and South Florida native -- landed in a spot where he should have decent shot at making the Opening Day roster in a swingman-type role, offering depth at both the back of the bullpen and the back of the rotation.

He’ll receive a $500,000 buyout. Gonzalez posted a 4.83 ERA over four starts and eight relief appearances for the White Sox in 2020. He might be looking at a non-guaranteed deal in 2021.

That’s the reason for his early exit from Sunday’s regular-season finale against the Cubs. Even if it proves to be a relatively minor issue, Gonzalez seems doubtful to be an active member of the White Sox bullpen heading into their first-round postseason matchup against the Athletics, which begins Tuesday.

Gonzalez looked to be in some discomfort after throwing a curveball in the top of the seventh inning and eventually walked off the field with a trainer. There should be an update after the game. The veteran left-hander spent time on the IL between late August and early September because of a right groin strain.

It’s obviously an appealing matchup in mixed leagues, even though Dunning was a bit shaky in his most recent start against the Royals. The White Sox activated Gio Gonzalez from the injured list on Tuesday, but it’s not clear what role he’s going to have. The team should settle further rotation plans in the next day or so.

Gonzalez has been out since the end of August with a right groin strain, but he’s likely to make his return on Wednesday. The 34-year-old southpaw holds a 5.11 ERA over four starts and two relief appearances this season.

Gonzalez hasn’t pitched in over a week, so it’s unclear when or how he was injured. Dane Dunning is back to take Gonzalez’ roster spot.