The White Sox Bullpen Will Be Getting A Big Boost

The White Sox starting pitching has been a pleasant surprise this season, as they have not been the reason the White Sox are on pace for one of the worst seasons of all time. However, the bullpen is the issue, as if the White Sox get the lead, there is a good chance it is blown in the last few innings.

But, there are some reinforcements on the way, as two players are working their way back from injury. Matt Foster and Davis Martin have begun their rehab assignments and are on track to join the team in Chicago sooner rather than later.

You may have forgot about these two, as it has been a while since either have pitched in Chicago. Unfortunately, both are recovering from Tommy John surgery, which can be a grueling and long process to come back from.

Regardless, it is likely that both Foster and Martin will be able to step into the struggling bullpen and provide quality innings. Depending on who the White Sox trade at the deadline, you may even see Martin make some starts, as he was a starter before he went down with injury.

In Davis Martin's career, he is 3-6 with a 4.86 ERA over 63.1 innings. Martin surprised a lot of White Sox fans when he was called up last year, as he came up and gave the White Sox quality innings. While the ERA was a bit inflated due to a few rough outings, he showed a lot of promise as a rookie. The White Sox will look to capitalize on his strong rookie season, as he could become either a very solid long reliever out of the bullpen or a back end of the rotation arm.

He recently has started his rehab in Arizona and has looked very good. Over 7 innings, he has a 3.86 ERA with eleven strikeouts and just one walk. These are very encouraging, as that is exactly what you are looking for when a pitcher is returning from Tommy John surgery. Martin will fit right into the pitching staff in Chicago in due time and can be a solid asset if things continue to go well with his rehab.

Matt Foster has also joined Martin in Arizona, and like Martin, he has also pitched in three games, but he has only thrown three innings. He has given up one run, but he has struck out three and walked none. This is a very encouraging start to his rehab and he could be promoted to the minor leagues to continue his rehab shortly.

White Sox fans may be more familiar with Foster, as he has pitched in three seasons for the White Sox, but he has not pitched since 2022. In his career, he has a very solid 4.38 ERA over 112.2 innings. If he can return to form, he would be one of the best relievers in the White Sox bullpen this season. He is just 29, so if he can produce like he did in prior years, he can make the rebuild of the White Sox bullpen much easier next season.

While neither of Martin or Foster are elite arms, they can improve the bullpen this year, which is desperately needed. Jimmy Lambert has yet to be activated from the injured list, but fans shouldn't forget about him, as he could also join the bullpen in late 2024 or make his return in 2025.