Spring Training hasn't even started, yet the bad news has already begun for the White Sox. Right-hander Drew Thorpe experienced a setback following last year's season-ending elbow surgery and will be behind schedule at the start of the spring, per Josh Frydman of WGN TV News. Thorpe's availability at the beginning of the regular season is now in jeopardy.
Thorpe's Strong Start To 2024
The 24-year-old Thorpe was the headliner in the Dylan Cease trade last March and dominated the AA level in the White Sox farm system before making his MLB debut in early June. His first seven MLB starts were very respectable outside of one blowup outing. He recorded a 3.03 ERA over 38.2 innings while delivering five quality starts. Thorpe looked primed to have a strong rookie campaign and cement his place in the starting rotation.
Subsequent Injury Issues
Unfortunately, Thorpe's final two starts with the White Sox last season were anything but quality. He allowed eight runs in less than an inning against the Mariners on July 26th and gave up six runs in five innings against the Royals on July 31st. The White Sox subsequently placed him on the 15-day injured list with a season-ending right forearm flexor strain. Thorpe then had offseason surgery to shave down a bone spur in his elbow.
Delayed Timeline Heading Into Spring
The expectation at the time of the procedure was that Thorpe would be fully healthy to begin 2025 spring training. That is no longer the case and his recovery timeline is now cloudy. Thorpe did elaborate on the specifics of his injury to MLB.com's Scott Merkin earlier today, saying, "I'll be a little slow to start. Probably start playing catch again next week, but should be a fairly quick ramp up."
Merkin further elaborated that Thorpe received a cortisone shot and medication for the injury and that the issue has been termed "residual inflammation." Thorpe also added that MRIs showed that everything structurally in his arm was clean and that his setback might be part of the recovery process. In any case, his setback will likely derail the start of his 2025 season.
Potential New Opportunity At Hand
Thorpe would have undoubtedly opened the season in the White Sox starting rotation if healthy. While that could still be the case depending on his recovery timeline, his injury could open up the door for other players. Bryse Wilson, Sean Burke, Mason Adams, Ky Bush, Jairo Iriarte, and Nick Nastrini are some of the many pitchers competing for spots this spring.
Cautious Approach
Drew Thorpe might not have the enormous ceilings of Noah Schultz and Hagen Smith or the pure stuff of Davis Martin and Sean Burke. But he was the centerpiece of the Dylan Cease trade for a reason. He is very talented in his own right and will hopefully be a factor in the White Sox rotation for years to come. While his injury issues are worth monitoring, hopefully the organization is just taking a cautious approach in handling one of the team's most promising young pitchers.
