CHICAGO -- The Chicago White Sox are calling up two key pitching prospects from Triple-A Charlotte amid their worst stretch of the season. Both left-hander Hagen Smith, 22, and right-hander Tanner McDougal, 22, will make their MLB debuts when they enter their next game.
Both are slated for a depleted bullpen, which has been used often lately due to a 13-inning game against the Red Sox on Thursday and because of a blunder that manager Will Venable made in Friday's game against the Guardians that forced him to pull his starter in the first inning.
Smith was the fifth overall pick in the 2024 draft and has mostly served as a starter in the minors, but the organization moved him to the bullpen more recently, prepping him for a stint in the majors this season. He compiled a 4.32 ERA over 20 appearances, including 14 starts. McDougal was taken in the fifth round in 2021, posting a 2.86 ERA in 15 appearances at Triple-A Charlotte which includes six starts.
They take the roster spots of pitchers Noah Schultz and David Sandlin, who were both sent back to Triple-A. Schultz has struggled in his first season with the team and was the victim of Venable's mistake Friday.
The second-year manager had visited the mound during a rough first inning for Schultz, but only after pitching coach Zach Bove had made a mound visit a few minutes earlier. By rule, Schultz had to be pulled after just 23 pitches. Sandlin threw the next 5⅓ innings, making his demotion less of a surprise, as the team needs some fresh arms.
Schultz was 3-9 with a 6.60 ERA in 15 appearances including 14 starts before his demotion. The White Sox have lost a season high four games in a row but remain in first place, two games ahead of the Guardians and Minnesota Twins in the American League Central.
Right-hander Wikelman Gonzalez was designated for assignment to make room on the 40-man roster for Smith.