White Sox Might Not Be Done Adding Starting Pitchers to Roster

The Chicago White Sox could look to add more starting pitching. Yes, even with the trade deadline now in the rearview mirror, the White Sox might not be done adding to their roster.

If the organization feels the need to add more starting pitching depth, it could keep an eye on the waiver wire and try to claim a veteran pitcher capable of eating some innings. One pitcher who stands out is veteran right-hander Zack Littell, who was designated for assignment by the Washington Nationals this week.

The White Sox had some interest in Littell last winter after he reached free agency following two tremendous seasons spent mostly with the Tampa Bay Rays. In 2024, Littell made 29 starts for Tampa Bay, going 8-10 with a 3.63 ERA over 156.1 innings. In 2025, he began the season with the Rays before being traded to the Cincinnati Reds and between the two teams, he went 10-8 with a 3.81 ERA over 186.2 innings.

Entering his age-30 season, Littell had been fairly consistent throughout his MLB career and offered the type of versatility that could appeal to any team with a young pitching staff. He can pitch in the starting rotation or transition to the bullpen just as easily, serving as a multi-inning relief option.

Littell ultimately signed a one-year, $7 million contract with the Washington Nationals, but he was designated for assignment after posting a 4.97 ERA through 112.1 innings this season. He got off to a really rough start to the year. At the beginning of May, Littell had allowed 25 earned runs in 28.2 innings, giving him a 7.85 ERA.

Since then, he settled down considerably, throwing 83.2 innings with a 3.98 ERA while providing the promised versatility to Washington’s pitching staff. But as the Nationals pivot their focus toward the future following the trade deadline, they no longer had a need for Littell on the roster.

Maybe the White Sox don't either. I’m not sure what Littell brings to the table that Erick Fedde doesn't already give Chicago. But one of the main concerns surrounding the White Sox pitching staff right now is whether it will be able to make it to the finish line.

Noah Schultz is at 88 innings between the big leagues and Triple-A Charlotte this season. He is one inning away from setting a new single-season career high as a professional, making it difficult to estimate how much more Schultz has left in the tank.

Davis Martin is 20 innings shy of his career high and has been getting knocked around in almost every start recently, pushing his ERA back up to 4.13. He might not survive the 49 games remaining on Chicago’s schedule either.

Littell also has a history with key members of the White Sox organization. Assistant general manager Carlos Rodriguez was hired from the Tampa Bay Rays, where Littell pitched from 2024 through 2025. In 2021 and 2022, Littell was with the San Francisco Giants, where he worked with White Sox senior pitching advisor Brian Bannister.

Internal options such as David Sandlin and Drew Thorpe give the White Sox young alternatives for their starting rotation should they decide to make a change. Thorpe is particularly interesting now that he's thrown eight innings while rehabbing in Double-A Birmingham with a 1.13 ERA. 

Even so, there's a reason the White Sox traded for José Urquidy from the Pittsburgh Pirates a few weeks ago. They value having depth and the ability to stash a veteran arm in the minor leagues.

The White Sox have options, but I wouldn't be surprised if they continued adding veteran depth to the organization in the days following the MLB trade deadline.