Drew Thorpe’s rehab assignment is reaching its mandatory end, forcing the White Sox to decide what comes next for the promising right-hander.
Right-handed pitcher Drew Thorpe has been a hot topic of discussion among Chicago White Sox fans over the last few months.
Thorpe, a former top prospect acquired by the White Sox in the Dylan Cease trade, debuted for Chicago in 2024 and showed plenty of promise at the MLB level.
Combine that early promise with his overall minor league production, and there’s plenty of reason to believe Thorpe has a bright future in the White Sox starting rotation.
But after his 2024 season was cut short by an injury, Thorpe missed all of 2025 following Tommy John surgery. A few setbacks later, he spent the 2026 season rehabbing and recovering from the extended absence. He’s been just as strong in the minor leagues as White Sox fans remember, but that success has also led to continued discourse about why Chicago keeps waiting to give him another opportunity with the MLB club.
Over his last seven rehab outings between Double-A Birmingham and Triple-A Charlotte, Thorpe is 2-0 with a 2.20 ERA. He has completed five innings in four of his last five starts with Charlotte and thrown as many as 87 pitches in a single outing.
Thorpe is now 23-3 with a 2.25 ERA over 43 career minor league starts. As the White Sox search for answers in their starting rotation, it’s getting increasingly difficult to justify keeping him in the minor leagues.
One way or another, though, the clock is now ticking on the White Sox to make a decision.
Drew Thorpe’s Rehab Clock Is Expiring
Under the MLB-MLBPA collective bargaining agreement, pitchers can normally spend a maximum of 30 days on a minor league rehab assignment. There is, however, a special provision for players rehabbing from UCL reconstruction surgery. Those pitchers can consent to as many as three consecutive 10-day extensions of the standard 30-day rehab period, pending approval from the commissioner’s office and MLBPA.
That allows for a maximum rehab assignment of 60 days.
Thorpe’s rehab assignment officially began on July 18, making September 15 the 60th day of his rehab.
By Wednesday, the White Sox can no longer extend his rehab assignment. They’ll need to activate him from the 60-day injured list, which would also add him back to the team’s 40-man roster.
This, however, does not mean Thorpe will necessarily rejoin the White Sox at the MLB level.
With right-handed pitcher José Urquidy designated for assignment on Tuesday, the White Sox cleared the necessary spot on the 40-man roster to activate Thorpe. In theory, Chicago could bring him off the injured list and then option him to Triple-A Charlotte. That would allow Thorpe to remain in the minor leagues on a regular assignment while complying with the mandatory end of his rehab period.
Thorpe is currently scheduled to start for Charlotte on Tuesday night, but the White Sox have not yet listed a starting pitcher for Wednesday’s game against the Cleveland Guardians.
It’s something for White Sox fans to monitor closely over the next few days. How the White Sox handle the expiration of Thorpe’s rehab assignment should finally provide a more definitive indication of their plans for the young right-hander.
