Wikelman Gonzalez could leave the White Sox organization after being designated for assignment to make room for Hagen Smith.
With both Tanner McDougal and Hagen Smith being called up by the Chicago White Sox to make their MLB debuts, the team needed to clear two spots on the active roster and one spot on the 40-man roster.
Right-handed pitcher David Sandlin and left-handed pitcher Noah Schultz have both been optioned to Triple-A Charlotte, with Smith and McDougal directly taking their places on the roster and looking to provide some relief for Chicago's tiring pitching staff. What the White Sox do to fill Schultz's spot in the starting rotation remains a mystery, but that's an issue for a future date.
Because Hagen Smith was not on the club's 40-man roster, his contract needed to be selected before he could be promoted. Along with the corresponding active roster moves, Chicago also designated right-handed pitcher Wikelman Gonzalez for assignment.
Most White Sox fans are familiar with Gonzalez, a 24-year-old right-handed pitcher who appeared out of Chicago's bullpen in 2025 after joining the organization as part of the Garrett Crochet trade with the Boston Red Sox.
It wasn't always pretty for Gonzalez in 2025. He started last year as a starting pitcher in Double-A Birmingham but quickly earned a promotion to Triple-A Charlotte, where he pitched out of the bullpen. In 22 games, he posted a 5.18 ERA, but he was still given an opportunity and made his MLB debut on June 20 against the Toronto Blue Jays.
It wasn't until August that Gonzalez was brought back up and received an extended run with the big league club. In 16 appearances spanning 20.1 innings, Gonzalez finished his rookie season with a 1-0 record and a 2.66 ERA out of the White Sox bullpen.
It was a promising start to the career of a 23-year-old pitcher.
After failing to make the team out of spring training, it still felt as if Gonzalez was one of the next pitchers in line to earn a quick promotion and join the White Sox bullpen. He just hasn't pitched up to expectations this year, posting a 6.57 ERA over 21 appearances in Charlotte. Gonzalez started the season well, recording a 2.57 ERA over his first 11 outings before landing on the IL at the end of April.
Since returning to the Knights at the end of June, he has posted an 11.81 ERA while allowing 18 hits and 10 walks in just 10.2 innings.
He's clearly not right, and he hasn't been since landing on the shelf with a right lat strain. But the key for the White Sox is now whether Gonzalez can make it through waivers. There's obviously some future value here if the White Sox can keep him in the organization, get him healthy and help him make some adjustments.
He's only 24 years old and possesses plenty of ability. That alone might be reason enough to question Chicago's decision. DFAing Gonzalez won't impact the 2026 club, but the decision could have future implications for the White Sox if he doesn't make it through waivers.
My preference would have been for the White Sox to DFA Tyler Gilbert, a 32-year-old with a 17.18 ERA in MLB this season and a 4.71 ERA at Triple-A Charlotte. Gilbert has struggled in almost every outing for the White Sox this season and hasn't done much in the minor leagues to inspire confidence that he can still contribute to the big league club. There's obviously far less future value in keeping Gilbert on the 40-man roster than there would be in keeping Gonzalez.
Perhaps Gonzalez being designated for assignment was inevitable this offseason anyway. But for now, all White Sox fans can do is hope he stays in the organization.
Chris Getz did very well in the Garrett Crochet trade, bringing in three of the club's core pieces in Braden Montgomery, Kyle Teel and Chase Meidroth. But the jury is now out on whether Gonzalez's time in Chicago is over.
