White Sox Waiver Pickup Could Earn More Starts After Strong Debut

The White Sox hoped for at least four innings from Yoendrys Gómez after selecting his contract from Triple-A Charlotte before Tuesday night’s game against the Tigers. The 25-year-old right-hander not only exceeded expectations but also could have secured himself another opportunity.

After optioning Jonathan Cannon to Triple-A, the White Sox needed an emergency starter to eat innings. Gómez was tapped to take the ball against a potent Tigers offense that ranks eighth in the MLB in runs scored. 

Despite it being his first career MLB start, the Venezuelan hurler looked completely unfazed. Gómez struck out a career-high seven batters across five innings of work, allowing just one run on one hit and a walk. He commanded the strike zone for most of the night, throwing 56 of his 89 pitches for strikes. 

The performance led White Sox manager Will Venable to float the idea of Gómez possibly getting another start to reporters. However, when that start will come is unknown as the White Sox with Aaron Civale, Sean Burke, and Davis Martin listed as the team's next three probable starters. 

While Gómez is not one of the more well-known arms in the White Sox system, the early success came as no surprise to anyone who has watched him in Triple-A Charlotte this season. 

Gomez started the season as a long reliever with the Yankees, but was out of minor league options. Despite posting a 2.70 ERA in 10 innings, he was placed on waivers and claimed by the Dodgers. His stint with the Dodgers lasted just three games after he was tagged for seven runs in 4.1 innings, leading him to once again getting DFA’d. 

The White Sox snatched him off the waiver wire on May 10th and placed him in Charlotte to try to develop him into a starter. The reset in the minors proved to be beneficial as Gómez proceeded to post a 2.12 ERA in 46.2 innings, with a 32% strikeout rate. Of the 14 appearances he has made for the Knights this season, 11 of them were starts. 

Gómez made a strong first impression during his first opportunity with the White Sox and could parlay it into an audition for the rest of the season to try and crack a spot on the roster next year. If he is able to stick on the White Sox big league roster into next season, the organization would have six full seasons of control heading into 2026.