Prelander

Berroa

Berroa remains on the shelf recovering from last year’s Tommy John surgery and won’t be an option for Chicago’s relief mix until the second half of the year.

Berroa, once thought of as perhaps the White Sox’s closer of the future, is back throwing off a mound 12 1/2 months after Tommy John and could begin a rehab assignment before the end of April. He’ll likely be optioned to Triple-A once that rehab assignment is complete.

Berroa was moved to the 60-day IL in a corresponding move to make room on the 40-man roster for Mike Vasil, who the White Sox claimed off waivers from the Rays. This doesn’t impact Berroa’s injury timetable as he was already set to miss the entire season with Tommy John surgery.

Down goes a saves sleeper. Berroa, who was acquired from the Mariners a year ago, had a 3.32 ERA in 19 innings as a rookie last season. His wildness didn’t make him a great bet for this season, but he probably had the highest ceiling in the White Sox bullpen.

Berroa was removed from Saturday’s relief appearance against the Cubs with elbow discomfort. Other than a completely clean MRI, a Grade 1 elbow strain was the best news he could’ve hoped for. The 24-year-old right-hander’s elbow ligament is stretched, but not torn. His timetable to return is unclear at this time, but he’s going to be shut down from throwing for at least a few weeks.

Three words you never want to see, but especially this early in spring. Berroa exited with a trainer, and the right-hander will likely need to undergo imaging to determine the severity of the injury.

Berroa left the contest with a trainer. The 24-year-old is expected to compete for one of the spots in the White Sox bullpen, and he has shown outstanding swing-and-miss stuff. There should be specifics on the injury and its severity shortly.

Berroa will presumably get an extended look in Chicago’s bullpen after the club’s decision to move on from veteran John Brebbia. The 24-year-old right-hander, who was an intriguing prospect just a few years earlier when he was with the Mariners, has struggled this season in three relief appearances at the highest level. He’s a notable name, but there’s zero fantasy appeal here at the moment.

Berroa allowed three runs in 1 2/3 innings over two appearances this weekend. It was hoped that he might emerge as the White Sox’s closer at some point this season, but it really doesn’t look like that’s going to happen. Even in Triple-A, he had a 6.69 ERA and 28 walks in 40 1/3 innings.

With Drew Thorpe landing on the injured list with a forearm issue on Friday, Berroa will return for at least a few days to add a fresh arm to their bullpen until they sort out how they’ll handle Thorpe’s spot in the rotation. Berroa, 24, has made just one appearance with the White Sox this season, allowing a hit batsmen in his 1/3 of an inning of work.