White Sox Get Garrett Crochet Back, Shut Down Gregory Santos for Season

While the Chicago White Sox season is crawling to a close, injuries and roster moves still persist. Chicago made two moves Wednesday, reinstating reliever Garrett Crochet from the injured list and placing right-hander Gregory Santos on the 15-day IL with right elbow inflammation, effectively ending his season.

The move to reinstate Crochet was expected as he rejoined the team in Washington on Monday. The towering lefty missed all of 2022 and some of 2023 recovering from Tommy John surgery. Crochet returned to the White Sox in mid-May for what became a brief stint. He made 10 appearances and pitched to a 3.60 ERA but struggled with control, walking 11 batters in 10 innings.

The former first-round draft pick went back on the injured list with shoulder inflammation on June 17. Crochet's shoulder issue flared back up while trying to rehab with the White Sox Double-A and Triple-A affiliates, and the stint ended on July 21. Crochet began a second rehab assignment two weeks ago and will try to use the final 10 games of the season to make up for lost time.

As The World Turns

In an accompanying move, the White Sox placed reliever Gregory Santos on the IL with right elbow inflammation. Santos made the team out of camp, taking the bullpen spot vacated by Liam Hendriks.

The righty was one of the few bright spots in a tumultuous season for the Pale Hose. Chicago acquired Santos from the San Francisco Giants in exchange for Kade McClure last offseason.

Santos has faltered as of late after being put in the closer role following the Kendall Graveman trade and the loss of Hendriks. Overall, the Dominican reliever posted a 3.39 ERA with 66 strikeouts in 66.1 innings across 60 games. With only 10 games left on the schedule, the injury ends his season.

What's On Tap Next?

Crochet and Santos will be intriguing players heading into 2024 Spring Training. Santos is a candidate for the back end of a bullpen that's thin on top-tier relief talent. Regardless of role, he will be part of the 2024 relief crew barring a complete disaster in Spring Training.

On the other hand, Crochet seems bound for the bullpen but has expressed a desire to be a starting pitcher. Manager Pedro Grifol did not rule out that possibility. However, with just 70.1 innings of MLB experience under his belt, a starter role seems unlikely.