It turns out the veteran reinforcements for the White Sox rotation come in the form of a familiar face. The White Sox announced today that Miguel Gonzalez has agreed to come back to the South Side on a one-year, $4.75 million deal.
Gonzalez, now 33 years old, has a 4.02 ERA in 50 starts with the White Sox, who signed him as a free agent after he was surprisingly designated for assignment by the Orioles before the 2016 season. The Sox dealt him to the Texas Rangers on August 31 for minor leaguer Ti’Quan Forbes. Ken Rosenthal broke the deal before it was officially announced.
With the 40-man roster already full, the White Sox have DFA’d Jacob May to make room for Gonzalez.
Gonzalez will likely slot into the White Sox’s starting rotation, especially with left-hander Carlos Rodon’s health uncertain. James Shields, Lucas Giolito and Reynaldo Lopez will be in the rotation to open up the season, and Carson Fulmer is likely to be there as well. Rodon underwent shoulder surgery last September and is likely to miss the first couple months of the season.
“Bringing Miggy back not only strengthens the options for our pitching staff but also returns another quality individual to our clubhouse,” White Sox general manager Rick Hahn said in a statement.
In six seasons, Gonzalez has a career record of 52-54 with a 3.95 ERA in 871 1/3 innings over 152 appearances (145 starts). He spent the first four seasons with the Baltimore Orioles before signing with the White Sox in 2016.
