White Sox Pitcher Suffers Season-Ending Injury Setback

We last saw Chicago White Sox left-handed pitcher Ky Bush on a mound in August 2024.

Bush made his MLB debut for the White Sox on August 5 and proceeded to make four starts, posting a 5.60 ERA over 17.2 innings.

He had put together an excellent season at Double-A Birmingham, recording a 2.12 ERA over 80.2 innings before earning his promotion. But after struggling with his control at the MLB level and issuing 8.2 walks per nine innings, Bush was sent back to Triple-A Charlotte, where he struggled to the tune of a 7.01 ERA.

Still, the White Sox expressed some optimism about Bush, a once highly touted prospect acquired from the Los Angeles Angels alongside Edgar Quero in the 2023 trade that sent Lucas Giolito and Reynaldo López to Los Angeles.

But at the start of spring training in 2025, Bush was shut down with an elbow injury and ultimately underwent Tommy John surgery, prematurely ending his season.

That eliminated any hope the White Sox had of continuing Bush’s development in 2025. Still, there was hope Chicago could get him back on a mound in 2026 and see how his arm responded to surgery. While Bush began throwing again this summer, another setback has now made 2026 another lost season.

As first reported by Scott Merkin of MLB.com, Bush has suffered a lat strain, and the White Sox are shutting him down for the remainder of the 2026 season.

An absence this extensive could make it difficult for Bush to move forward as a starting pitcher in 2027, though that might not be the role best suited for his skill set anyway. He’s never operated as a reliever professionally or even during his college career, so a move to the bullpen would require another significant adjustment.

Bush will also turn 27 in November. At this point, his future with the White Sox can safely be classified as uncertain.

The White Sox currently receive a 40-man roster exemption for Bush while he remains on the 60-day injured list. But by the fifth day after the World Series ends, he’ll need to be removed from the IL and reinstated to the team’s 40-man roster.

There’s a distinct possibility the White Sox will instead designate Bush for assignment to clear roster space for offseason additions. After two consecutive lost seasons, Chicago will have to decide whether there’s still enough upside to justify keeping him around.