Nicky makes cut, but Nick doesn’t
The White Sox set their Opening Day 30-man roster Thursday, which included right-handed prospects Jimmy Lambert and Codi Heuer and veteran lefty Ross Detwiler among a group of 16 pitchers.
Second baseman Nick Madrigal, the No. 4 overall pick in the 2018 draft, was among those reassigned to the Sox’ taxi squad in Schaumburg, and outfielder Nicky Delmonico, a non-roster invitee to spring training, had his contract purchased from Class AAA Charlotte and could start in right field Friday with Nomar Mazara on the injured list.
Also sent to Schaumburg: first baseman Andrew Vaughn, catcher Yermin Mercedes, right-handers Dane Dunning, Drew Anderson, Tyler Johnson and Tayron Guerrero and outfielders Luis Basabe and Luis Gonzalez.
Here’s the Opening Day roster: Pitchers: Aaron Bummer, Dylan Cease, Steve Cishek, Alex Colome, Jimmy Cordero, Detwiler, Jace Fry, Lucas Giolito, Gio Gonzalez, Kelvin Herrera, Heuer, Dallas Keuchel, Lambert, Reynaldo Lopez, Evan Marshall and Carlos Rodon.
Catchers: Zack Collins, Yasmani Grandal and James McCann.
Infielders: Jose Abreu, Tim Anderson, Cheslor Cuthbert, Edwin Encarnacion, Leury Garcia, Danny Mendick and Yoan Moncada.
Outfielders: Delmonico, Adam Engel, Eloy Jimenez and Luis Robert.
Rotation set
The rotation will consist of Giolito, Keuchel, Lopez, Cease and Rodon. Gonzalez, signed in the offseason as a starter, is in the bullpen, providing manager Rick Renteria “with a number of different options for his use,” including long relief or “another lefty to get through a difficult part of the lineup later in the game,” general manager Rick Hahn said.
No Madrigal
Hahn said the decision to hold Madrigal back was “best for the club overall as well as consideration for Nicky’s long-term development. In the end, we felt the lineup was stronger and overall we were going to be more productive with [Garcia] at second base providing us that switchhitting presence in the lineup.”
Madrigal didn’t distinguish himself offensively in spring training and summer camp, “but he looked the part much more over the last three weeks,” Hahn said.
“We still think the world of him and believe he’s going to help us at some point over the summer.”
Fulmer DFA’d
Carson Fulmer (6.56 career ERA), who has struggled since he was picked eighth overall five years ago, was designated for assignment. He had a decent spring but suffered from the layoff, Hahn said. If Fulmer clears waivers, he could stick with the Sox.
“We know there’s more there, and once it clicks for him, he’ll be able to help somebody at the big-league level,” Hahn said.
Lambert gets the nod
Lambert was “slightly more consistent” this summer than Dunning, giving him the edge among the top prospects positioned to help the team out of the bullpen, Hahn said. Dunning will get stretched out as a starter with the taxi squad in case he’s needed.
Engel/Delmonico platoon in right
In Mazara’s absence, a platoon of the right-handed-hitting Engel and the lefthanded-hitting Delmonico is the plan in right field, Hahn said. Engel is the superior option defensively. Hahn said Mazara’s absence could be brief, but he would need time with the taxi squad before returning. Such a stint could be as early as next week, he said.
Infield moves
Cuthbert, a non-roster invitee to spring training, made the team and affords infield depth if Moncada is not quite ready to play every day at third. The Sox signed infielder Ryan Goins as a free agent and assigned him to the taxi squad. Goins appeared in 52 games for the Sox last season. Infielder Andrew Romine was released.