White Sox Place Miguel Castro on IL
The White Sox have announced that relief pitcher Miguel Castro will undergo season-ending surgery after suffering a torn patellar tendon in his right knee. This injury occurred during a game against the Mets in New York, where Castro slipped and landed awkwardly while trying to cover first base on a ground ball.
Castro’s Injury and Replacement
Castro, 30, has been put on the 15-day injured list, retroactive to Thursday. He had appeared in six games this season, tossing six innings and allowing five earned runs (7.50 ERA) and a .227 batting average against him. To fill his spot, the Sox have brought up veteran reliever Dan Altavilla on a one-year, $1 million contract ahead of a three-game series in Baltimore.
Altavilla’s Background and Performance
The Sox signed Altavilla to a minor league deal in the offseason, and he looks to make his 2025 debut with the Sox. The 32-year-old right-hander owns a 2.49 ERA in 21⅔ innings pitched this year with Triple-A Charlotte. Altavilla has battled his own injuries in the past few years, including a strained oblique and Tommy John surgery, which kept him out of the 2022 season.
Altavilla’s Strategy and Mindset
Altavilla attributed his success this year to attacking hitters and using all his pitches. He has recently leaned more on his mix of a sinker and two-seam fastball and has more frequently worked a changeup into his pitch arsenal. When asked about his approach, Altavilla said, "Just attacking hitters, using all my stuff." He also reflected on his journey, saying, "It just shows that the hard work pays off and even as we get older, you just can’t ever give up because there’s always opportunity out there, especially in baseball, injuries happen all the time."
Schedule Changes and Lineup Updates
The start of Friday’s game against the Orioles has been pushed earlier from 6:05 p.m. to 3:30 p.m. because of impending rain in the Baltimore area Friday night. Left-hander Jared Shuster will open the game, with righty Sean Burke, who was initially scheduled to start, expected to follow. Manager Will Venable said he liked how Shuster matches up against the Orioles’ top of the lineup, which features lefties Jackson Holiday and Gunnar Henderson, with switch-hitter Adley Rutschman between them.
Luis Robert Jr.’s Return
The White Sox center fielder and MLB leader in stolen bases is back in the starting lineup Friday after missing a couple of starts with soreness in his right knee. Robert, who’s on his last year of a six-year, $50 million deal (with team options for 2026-27), has disappointed at the plate this year with an ugly .190/.276/.307 slash line. However, his defense has remained Gold Glove-caliber, and his league-leading 21 steals provide the Sox with some value.
Conclusion
The White Sox have made several adjustments to their lineup and schedule due to injuries and weather conditions. With the addition of Dan Altavilla and the return of Luis Robert Jr., the team is looking to bounce back from recent setbacks. As the season progresses, the White Sox will need to continue to adapt and make strategic decisions to stay competitive.
FAQs
- Q: What is Miguel Castro’s injury, and how will it affect his season?
A: Miguel Castro has a torn patellar tendon in his right knee, which will require season-ending surgery. - Q: Who is replacing Miguel Castro, and what is his background?
A: Dan Altavilla is replacing Castro, and he is a 32-year-old right-hander who was signed to a minor league deal in the offseason. - Q: What changes have been made to the White Sox schedule?
A: The start time of Friday’s game against the Orioles has been moved to 3:30 p.m. due to impending rain. - Q: Is Luis Robert Jr. back in the lineup, and what are his current stats?
A: Yes, Luis Robert Jr. is back in the lineup after missing a couple of starts with a sore knee. He currently has a .190/.276/.307 slash line but leads the MLB in stolen bases.
