Sean

Newcomb

Newcomb has been excellent lately and that was the case again Tuesday as he fired 2 2/3 scoreless innings and picked up his second save against the Guardians. He lowered his ERA to 2.44. As good as Newcomb has been, his ability to pitch multiple innings and the fact he’s left-handed likely work against him getting consistent save chances in the future.

Newcomb needed just 42 pitches (28 strikes) to retire all nine hitters that he faced in order. Perhaps the White Sox should have stuck with him for longer. The 33-year-old southpaw got five swings and misses in the contest, posting an elite CSW of 38 percent. He now boasts a 2.58 ERA, 0.97 WHIP and a 44/11 K/BB ratio across 45 1/3 innings on the season.

Newcomb was charged with three runs on three hits and recorded a pair of outs before being hit by a line drive during a fifth-inning relief outing at Yankee Stadium. The 33-year-old reliever appears to have avoided serious injury and is day-to-day moving forward.

Newcomb came on with the White Sox leading 6-3 in the eighth inning and despite allowing a leadoff single to Salvador Perez, managed to work a scoreless inning on just nine total pitches. He then returned for the ninth inning after the White Sox tacked on a run in the home half of the eighth, where he retired to side to send the White Sox’ faithful home happy. He has been a valuable addition to the White Sox’ bullpen this season, posting a strong 2.81 ERA, 1.21 WHIP and a 24/8 K/BB ratio across 25 2/3 innings.

White Sox manager Will Venable confirmed to reporters that Newcomb will operate in relief to open the season after battling for a spot in Chicago’s rotation during camp. The decision makes it a near-lock that both Anthony Kay and Erick Fedde will make the Opening Day rotation. There’s zero fantasy intrigue here but it’s worth noting that the White Sox are going to give a few veterans some run before they consider promoting a top prospect like Hagen Smith or Noah Schultz.

Newcomb was facing backups of backups in the second half of the game, but fanning six of 15 batters is always pretty good. He was lucky not to get charged with the two runs, since Jarred Kelenic never touched the fly he misplayed in center that led to two runs. It was definitely on Kelenic, but it was the kind of play that’s usually ruled a hit.

He struck out two and walked one. Newcomb is hoping to join the White Sox rotation after a successful 2025 spent mostly in the pen, but he should have a roster spot either way after signing for $4.5 million in December.

Newcomb had a mini breakout in 2025, posting a 2.73 ERA and 23.3 percent strikeout rate in 92 1/3 innings across 48 appearances (five starts) with the Red Sox and the Athletics. Boston cut back heavily on his four-seam fastball usage, adding a cutter to his arsenal and also increasing his sinker usage, and the three fastball variations worked wonders for Newcomb. He was one of the top left-handed relievers on the market and a good get for the White Sox.

Newcomb’s season is officially over after an outstanding run with the Athletics where he compiled a sparkling 1.76 ERA across 51 1/3 innings over 36 appearances after being claimed off waivers from the Red Sox back in late May. Assuming he isn’t facing a long-term absence, Newcomb should have plenty of interest this offseason as a free agent.

Newcomb was outstanding, and while he did need 18 pitches to procure the three punchouts, it’s still an impressive outing for the veteran 32-year-old. He’s saved two games and forged a 2.76 ERA in 2025, but he’s not a lock to see more save chances. He probably should be, but he’s not.