The White Sox have signed right-handed pitcher Dan Altavilla to a minor league contract, the team announced on Thursday afternoon. The deal includes a non-roster invite to Spring Training.
Altavilla, 32, spent the 2024 season in Kansas City’s organization after signing a minor league deal. In his first 24 games for the Triple-A Omaha Storm Chasers, he posted a 2.63 ERA with 30 strikeouts across 27.1 innings pitched. This earned him a major league promotion on June 10 where he made just five appearances for the Royals, recording a 14.73 ERA in 3.2 innings. Altavilla was later placed on the IL with a right oblique strain on June 20 and designated for assignment upon his return in September, finishing out the year in Omaha.
The right-hander was originally drafted in the fifth round by the Mariners in 2014. Though starting in the rotation, Altavilla transitioned to the bullpen early on and has remained as a reliever. He made his MLB debut during the 2016 season and appeared in a career-high 46 games in 2017, posting a 4.24 ERA over 46.2 innings. Altavilla has never been able to stick over the years, oftentimes battling some sort of arm injury while bouncing between the minor leagues and majors. Before his most recent stint with the Royals, his last big league appearance came with the Padres in 2021 as Tommy John surgery kept him sidelined during 2022 and he’s been working to make a comeback since.
As he did with the Royals last season, Altavilla will have a chance to earn a bullpen spot in 2025. If he ends up remaining healthy and sticking in the majors, the White Sox can control him through the 2026 season given his 4.153 years of service as pointed out by MLB Trade Rumors.
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