The White Sox revealed some tough injury news this morning.
Right-handed pitcher Drew Thorpe is the latest to require Tommy John surgery and will miss the entire 2025 season. Meanwhile, infielder Brandon Drury has fractured his left thumb and has a follow-up scheduled with a doctor on Monday. No word on Drury’s timetable for return has been given just yet.
Thorpe exited a minor league spring game in the second inning on March 20th due to right elbow discomfort. Thorpe previously underwent season-ending surgery on September 7th of last season to address a bone spur in the same elbow. His injury troubles carried into the offseason, as he also received a cortisone shot in his right hand on January 24th. While he has been ramping up through bullpen sessions and live batting practice, he has yet to appear in an MLB spring training game.
Thorpe was acquired before the 2024 season from the San Diego Padres for Dylan Cease. He started the season in Double-A Birmingham compiling a 7–1 record with a 1.35 ERA and 56 strikeouts across 11 starts. He made his major league debut on June 11th against the Mariners. In 9 starts, he had a 3–3 record with a 5.48 ERA and 25 strikeouts over 44 1/3 innings pitched.
With the injury to Thorpe, it looks like right-hander Shane Smith will firmly make his way into the starting rotation as it was announced that he would make the opening-day roster earlier this week.
Drury signed a minor league deal with the White Sox on February 7th. Over 10 MLB seasons with the Diamondbacks, Yankees, Blue Jays, Mets, Reds, Padres, and most recently the Angels, Drury has compiled a career slash line of .245/.296/.421.
The infielder got off to an impressive start this spring, slashing .410/.439/.821 with three home runs and positioning himself as the likely starting second baseman on Opening Day. The news of the fracture has now put his status in question to begin the season.
We will continue to monitor the situation and provide additional updates as we receive more information.
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Featured Photo: Sam Navarro-USA TODAY Sports
