Joey

Gallo

Gallo, 32, announced that he was making the move to the mound, and the former power hitter has reportedly hit the high 90s with his fastball; something he also did in high school. The 6-foot-5 right-hander will likely work out of the bullpen for whatever team procures his services.

It’s unclear what if any role Gallo’s desire to pitch had with the White Sox’ decision to move on. The 31-year-old former outfielder bats left-handed, but throws right-handed. Where Gallo goes from here is anyone’s guess, but we’d assume that he’ll attempt to catch on with a team on a minor-league deal with a bullpen role in mind.

Gallo, who was in camp on a minor-league deal, was 2-for-20 with no home runs and one RBI this spring. The 31-year-old outfielder hit .161 with 10 home runs and 27 RBI in 76 games with the Nationals in 2024. Gallo is headed back to free agency with two weeks left to find another opportunity before Opening Day.

Gallo is 2-for-17 with no walks or extra-base hits to date. He’s in line to make the White Sox and possibly start in left field initially due to Andrew Benintendi’s injury, but he’s not just going to be handed the spot.

Ouch. Benintendi was plunked on the hand during Thursday’s contest against the Guardians. The 30-year-old outfielder said he was sore after the game, but precautionary X-rays revealed the unfortunate diagnosis. It’s unclear how the White Sox will plan to replace Benintendi in the middle of their lineup to begin the season. The injury certainly opens the door for Oscar Colas, Dominic Fletcher, Joey Gallo or Corey Julks to crack the Opening Day roster with a strong showing in Cactus League play.

Gallo had a rough season for the Nationals in 2024, slashing a putrid .161/.277/.336 with just 10 homers, 27 RBI and a 102/32 K/BB ratio in 260 plate appearances. If he’s looking for playing time, the White Sox are a terrific choice as he should be able to hit his way onto the Opening Day roster if he shows any signs of life at all during Cactus League play. If he somehow winds up in the strong side of a platoon on the Opening Day roster, there’s even a chance that he could carve out some deep league fantasy value.

The 30-year-old slugger will receive a $2.5 million buyout. Gallo didn’t quite deliver the power production that the Nationals were hoping he would, slashing an anemic .161/.277/.336 with 10 homers, 27 RBI and a 102/32 K/BB ratio over 260 plate appearances. When he’s going right, his ability to hit for power and draw walks does have value in today’s game, so Gallo should be able to latch on somewhere this winter on an incentive-laden deal.

Gallo drew a walk in the second inning, then later took Keegan Thompson deep for a three-run blast to extend the Washington lead in the sixth. He knocked a base hit to lead off the top of the ninth to reach for a third time in the game. The 30-year-old outfielder is up to nine homers and 24 RBI while slashing .164/.284/.338 across 243 plate appearances.

Gallo went deep for the first time since June 3, taking Marlins starter Max Meyer deep for a 415-foot no-doubter to center field in the fourth inning. It was his lone hit in four at-bats. He’s batting .172 with six homers and two steals in 57 games this season in his Nationals debut.

With the Yankees starting a left-handed pitcher, Crews will hit second with James Wood sliding down to first. The Nationals will also move Joey Gallo to the bench and put Andres Chaparro in at first base; however, it’s unclear how this lineup will shake out against right-handed pitchers.