With the White Sox entering rebuild mode in 2017 and the relief pitcher trade market not all that hot, general manager Rick Hahn found a perfect storm to unload some of his arms for future prospects.
Hahn continued that pursuit on Thursday, dealing left-hander Dan Jennings to the Tampa Bay Rays for 24-year-old prospect Casey Gillaspie. With the trade, the White Sox not have just one of their seven relievers from Opening Day on the current roster.
Below are the seven Opening Day bullpen arms, and where they've gone from April 5 to now.
- Zach Putnam (April 25) Putnam was the first of the bullpen arms to go, heading to the 10-day DL with right elbow inflammation. He did some throwing in early May but failed to make much progress. In late June Rick Hahn confirmed that Putnam had underwent Tommy John surgery. He finished with a 1.04 ERA in 8.2 innings.
- Nate Jones (April 28) Jones entered 2017 as one of the White Sox most important bullpen pieces. But the right elbow neuritis he dealt with never fully healed, and he needed nerve repositioning surgery on July 13 that ended his season. The former Tommy John surgery recipient finished 2017 with a 2.31 ERA, striking out 15 batters in just 11.2 innings.
- Michael Ynoa (July 8) After a stellar rookie campaign, Ynoa struggled in 2017, compiling a 5.90 ERA in 29 innings. He walked 22 and struck out just 23, and he allowed seven runs and recorded just four outs in his final two outings before the White Sox designated him for assignment. He's currently on the DL at AAA Charlotte.
- David Robertson (July 18) Rick Hahn gave up his closer right after the trade deadline, sending Robertson to the Yankees in a seven-player trade. Robertson had plenty of value, sporting a 2.70 ERA while going 13-for-14 in save opportunities. In four games with the Yankees he's allowed just one earned run - a homer - while striking out six.
MLB
- Anthony Swarzak (July 25) A surprise on the Opening Day 25-man roster, the 31-year-old Swarzak dominated in his time with the White Sox. He sported a 2.23 ERA and struck out 52 batters in 48.1 innings. He did some of his best work just before the trade, too: he had scoreless outings in 13 of his final 14 appearances with the Sox, good for a sparkling 0.56 ERA with 22 strikeouts and five walks in 16.0 innings. In return the White Sox received 25-year-old outfield prospect Ryan Cordell.
- Dan Jennings (July 27) The sixth bullpen arm to depart, Jennings was sent to the Rays for 24-year-old switch-hitting prospect Casey Gillaspie. The left-hander finished his White Sox season with a 3.45 ERA. Left-handed batters hit just .169 with a .497 OPS against him.
- Jake Petricka (still on team) It'll be tough to swing a deal for Petricka, who had a 10.24 ERA in June after returning from a DL stint. He hasn't yet pitched in July.
That's not including Tommy Kahnle, who joined the 25-man roster just a few days into the season. Kahnle was part of the deal that sent Robertson to the Yankees.
Now, here's the current bullpen: Jake Petricka, David Holmberg, Gregory Infante, Chris Beck, Juan Minaya, Tyler Clippard, Brad Goldberg, Aaron Bummer