Chicago White Sox Wiretap

The Houston Astros signed outfielder LaMonte Wade Jr. and promoted catcher Collin Price to the major league roster Thursday.

Price will take the place of backup catcher César Salazar, who was designated for assignment Thursday.

Wade, who was released by the White Sox on Monday, has been in Triple-A all season. His last appearance in the majors came last season when he played 30 games for the Angels. A seven-year MLB veteran, Wade has also played for the Twins and Giants.

Chicago White Sox slugger Munetaka Murakami is expected to miss four to six weeks with a Grade 2 right hamstring strain.

Manager Will Venable shared details on Murakami's injury and a revised timeline for the first baseman's absence from Chicago's lineup after the White Sox placed him on the 10-day injured list before Saturday's game with Detroit.

Chicago White Sox first baseman Munetaka Murakami exited Friday's game in the third inning due to right hamstring tightness. Murakami was legging out a possible double-play grounder hit to Detroit second baseman Zach McKinstry.

Murakami, signed out of Japan to a two-year deal over the offseason, began the day tied for the AL lead with 20 home runs and stands as a leading AL Rookie of the Year candidate.

With nearly two months of the 2026 season complete, 22 players from the preseason MLB top 100 prospect list have graduated from eligibility, reshuffling the rankings ahead of what figures to be an active trade deadline season.

Milwaukee Brewers shortstop Jesus Made, 19, moves to the top spot after posting 90th percentile exit velocities that rank among big league averages despite playing in Double-A. His ability to control the strike zone and his defensive profile stand out, though scouts note his swing produces insufficient lift to translate his raw power into home run totals. If that changes in the second half, a significant ranking jump could follow.

Among the most notable movers is Boston Red Sox shortstop Franklin Arias, who climbs from 36th to sixth after posting improved exit velocity and lift rates while maintaining contact. Athletics shortstop Leo De Vries jumps to second after his profile helped pry All-Star closer Mason Miller from Oakland. Pittsburgh Pirates right-hander Seth Hernandez rises from 49th to seventh after slider and fastball shape improvements unlocked his ceiling.

Notable graduates from the list include the previous top two prospects, Konnor Griffin and Kevin McGonigle, along with Samuel Basallo, JJ Wetherholt, Bubba Chandler, Carson Benge, Andrew Painter, and Carson Williams, among others.

Seven players currently on active big league rosters remain eligible but could graduate within weeks.

Top-50 MLB Prospects

60FV
1. Jesus Made, SS, Milwaukee Brewers (Previous: 3)
2. Leo De Vries, SS, Athletics (Previous: 11)
3. Colt Emerson, SS, Seattle Mariners (Previous: 6)
4. Max Clark, CF, Detroit Tigers (Previous: 8)
5. Sebastian Walcott, SS, Texas Rangers (Previous: 5)
6. Franklin Arias, SS, Boston Red Sox (Previous: 36)
7. Seth Hernandez, RHP, Pittsburgh Pirates (Previous: 49)
8. Eli Willits, SS, Washington Nationals (Previous: 41)
9. Kade Anderson, LHP, Seattle Mariners (Previous: 16)
10. George Lombard Jr., SS, New York Yankees (Previous: 20)
11. Travis Bazzana, 2B, Cleveland Guardians (Previous: 23)
12. Walker Jenkins, CF, Minnesota Twins (Previous: 9)
13. Trey Yesavage, RHP, Toronto Blue Jays (Previous: 14)
14. A.J. Ewing, CF, New York Mets (Previous: 28)
15. Rainiel Rodriguez, C, St. Louis Cardinals (Previous: 19)
16. Aidan Miller, SS, Philadelphia Phillies (Previous: 10)
17. Ryan Sloan, RHP, Seattle Mariners (Previous: 24)

55 FV
18. Josue De Paula, LF, Los Angeles Dodgers (Previous: 21)
19. Josuar Gonzalez, SS, San Francisco Giants (Previous: 30)
20. Ethan Salas, C, San Diego Padres (Previous: 110)
21. Ryan Waldschmidt, CF, Arizona Diamondbacks (Previous: 63)
22. Thomas White, LHP, Miami Marlins (Previous: 18)
23. Alfredo Duno, C, Cincinnati Reds (Previous: 29)
24. Connor Prielipp, LHP, Minnesota Twins (Previous: 54)
25. Caleb Bonemer, 3B, Chicago White Sox (Previous: 34)
26. Luis Pena, SS, Milwaukee Brewers (Previous: 26)
27. Ethan Holliday, SS, Colorado Rockies (Previous: 66)
28. Liam Doyle, LHP, St. Louis Cardinals (Previous: 50)
29. Tyler Bremner, RHP, Los Angeles Angels (Previous: 56)
30. Theo Gillen, CF, Tampa Bay Rays (Previous: 92)
31. Ralphy Velazquez, 1B, Cleveland Guardians (Previous: 33)
32. Jett Williams, SS, Milwaukee Brewers (Previous: 32)
33. JoJo Parker, SS, Toronto Blue Jays (Previous: 52)
34. Zyhir Hope, RF, Los Angeles Dodgers (Previous: 40)

50 FV
35. Cam Caminiti, LHP, Atlanta Braves (Previous: 53)
36. Jonah Tong, RHP, New York Mets (Previous: 31)
37. Noah Schultz, LHP, Chicago White Sox (Previous: 96)
38. Kaelen Culpepper, SS, Minnesota Twins (Previous: 79)
39. Angel Genao, SS, Cleveland Guardians (Previous: 80)
40. Gage Jump, LHP, Athletics (Previous: 42)
41. Jhonny Level, SS, San Francisco Giants (Previous: 84)
42. Emmanuel Rodriguez, CF, Minnesota Twins (Previous: 97)
43. Josh Hammond, SS, Kansas City Royals (Previous: 132)
44. Edward Florentino, CF, Pittsburgh Pirates (Previous: 78)
45. Eduardo Quintero, CF, Los Angeles Dodgers (Previous: 37)
46. Anthony Eyanson, RHP, Boston Red Sox (Previous: NR)
47. Eduardo Tait, C, Minnesota Twins (Previous: 38)
48. Didier Fuentes, RHP, Atlanta Braves (Previous: 88)
49. River Ryan, RHP, Los Angeles Dodgers (Previous: 125)
50. Jamie Arnold, LHP, Athletics (Previous: 60)

The 2026 MLB Draft is two months away, and the race for the top pick has tightened considerably. ESPN projects UCLA shortstop Roch Cholowsky going first overall to the Chicago White Sox, though the selection is essentially a coin flip between Cholowsky and Fort Worth Christian High School shortstop Grady Emerson, with industry buzz suggesting a genuine 50-50 split internally for Chicago.

The pro-Cholowsky argument centers on readiness. Supporters believe he can reach the big leagues within 12 months and carries less projection risk than Emerson, who is seen by rival clubs as having slightly higher upside but also more variance. Emerson would also come with some slot savings that Chicago could redirect to later picks.

The San Francisco Giants, who recently acquired the 29th pick in a trade with the Cleveland Guardians, are rumored to be aggressively pursuing either Cholowsky or Emerson at fourth overall via an overslot bonus offer. The strategy mirrors how the Giants landed Buster Posey in the 2008 draft, though most industry observers view the gambit as unlikely to succeed.

Should Cholowsky go first, the Rays are projected to take Emerson at second. Georgia Tech catcher Vahn Lackey is the consensus third-best prospect in the class and is expected to land with the Minnesota Twins at third overall. The Giants, pivoting to high school talent if their aggressive pursuit fails, are projected to select Florida prep shortstop Jacob Lombard fourth.

The draft takes place July 11 in Philadelphia.

1. Chicago White Sox: Roch Cholowsky, SS, UCLA
2. Tampa Bay Rays: Grady Emerson, SS, Fort Worth Christian HS (TX)
3. Minnesota Twins: Vahn Lackey, C, Georgia Tech
4. San Francisco Giants: Jacob Lombard, SS, Gulliver Prep HS (Fla.)
5. Pittsburgh Pirates: Jackson Flora, RHP, UC Santa Barbara
6. Kansas City Royals: Eric Booth Jr., CF, Oak Grove HS (Miss.)
7. Baltimore Orioles: Ryder Helfrick, C, Arkansas
8. Athletics: Chris Hacopian, 2B, Texas A&M
9. Atlanta Braves: Drew Burress, CF, Georgia Tech
10. Colorado Rockies: Cameron Flukey, RHP, Coastal Carolina
11. Washington Nationals: Jared Grindlinger, RF/LHP, Huntington Beach HS (Calif.)
12. Los Angeles Angels: Liam Peterson, RHP, Florida
13. St. Louis Cardinals: Derek Curiel, CF, LSU
14. Miami Marlins: Justin Lebron, SS, Alabama
15. Arizona Diamondbacks: Trevor Condon, CF, Etowah HS (Ga.)
16. Texas Rangers: Sawyer Strosnider, CF, TCU
17. Houston Astros: Aiden Robbins, CF, Texas
18. Cincinnati Reds: Cole Carlon, LHP, Arizona State
19. Cleveland Guardians: Mason Edwards, LHP, USC
20. Boston Red Sox: Bo Lowrance, 3B, Christ Church Episcopal HS (S.C.)
21. San Diego Padres: Gio Rojas, LHP, Stoneman Douglas HS (Fla.)
22. Detroit Tigers: Tyler Bell, SS, Kentucky
23. Chicago Cubs: A.J. Gracia, RF, Virginia
24. Seattle Mariners: Tegan Kuhns, RHP, Tennessee
25. Milwaukee Brewers: Logan Schmidt, LHP, Ganesha HS (CA)
26. Atlanta Braves: Coleman Borthwick, RHP, South Walton HS (Fla.)
27. New York Mets: Cade Townsend, RHP, Ole Miss
28. Houston Astros: Hunter Dietz, LHP, Arkansas
29. San Francisco Giants: Carson Bolemon, LHP, Southside Christian HS (S.C.)
30. Kansas City Royals: Logan Reddemann, RHP, UCLA
31. Arizona Diamondbacks: Chase Brunson, CF, TCU
32. St. Louis Cardinals: Cole Prosek, 3B/C, Magnolia Heights HS (Miss.)
33. Tampa Bay Rays: Brody Bumila, LHP, Bishop Feehan HS (Mass.)
34. Pittsburgh Pirates: Ace Reese, 3B, Mississippi State
35. New York Yankees: Eric Becker, SS, Virginia
36. Philadelphia Phillies: Aiden Ruiz, SS, Stony Brook HS (N.Y.)
37. Colorado Rockies: James Clark, SS, St. John Bosco HS (Calif.)
38. Colorado Rockies: Archer Horn, SS, St. Ignatius Prep HS (Calif.)
39. Toronto Blue Jays: Connor Comeau, 3B, Anderson HS (Texas)
40. Los Angeles Dodgers: Zion Rose, CF, Louisville

Wednesday’s series showdown will be broadcast locally on Dbacks.TV (Arizona feed) and Chicago Sports Network (CHSN) (White Sox feed). First pitch is scheduled for 9:40 PM ET. Fans can stream the game in high definition on Fubo, which offers access to regional sports networks and national MLB coverage.

The Arizona Diamondbacks (13-10) look to get back into the win column this Wednesday, April 22, as they host the Chicago White Sox (9-14) for the second game of a three-game set. The White Sox took the series opener in emphatic fashion with an 11-5 victory on Tuesday, fueled by a multi-home run attack. Arizona will need to tighten up its defense and find early run support to prevent the South Siders from clinching the series tonight.

Arizona’s offense is led by Corbin Carroll, who recently returned to action and provides elite speed at the top of the order. Veteran Ildemaro Vargas is also coming off a productive Tuesday where he launched a home run and drove in three. The White Sox counter with an offense that leads the league in surprise power outbursts, looking for continued production from their middle-of-the-order bats. Catch every inning live on Fubo.

The pitching duel features a battle of southpaws. Arizona turns to Eduardo Rodriguez (1-0), who has been a pillar of the rotation with a sparkling 1.96 ERA through his first few starts of 2026. He faces off against Chicago’s Anthony Kay (1-0), who carries a steady 2.60 ERA and looks to build on his momentum. You can witness this interleague battle streaming live on Fubo.

The defining storyline for the Diamondbacks is whether Rodriguez can silence a White Sox lineup that thrived on Tuesday. For Chicago, the challenge is maintaining offensive consistency against an elite starter. With Arizona currently third in the NL West, every home game is vital for keeping pace in a crowded divisional race. Fubo is your home for the complete broadcast.

White Sox vs. Diamondbacks Betting Odds & Predictions

The Diamondbacks enter the game as home favorites. Oddsmakers are banking on Eduardo Rodriguez's superior ERA and Arizona's 17-6-0 record against the spread this season to favor the snakes.

Prediction: Eduardo Rodriguez has been nearly unhittable to start the year. While the White Sox offense erupted on Tuesday, repeating that performance against a pitcher of Rodriguez's caliber is a tall task. Final Score: Diamondbacks 5, White Sox 3.

Individual Matchups: Stars and Playmakers

The marquee matchup features the elite speed of Corbin Carroll against the veteran composure of Anthony Kay. Carroll’s ability to create chaos on the basepaths will be a major factor early in the game.

*Season stats current through April 22.

Chicago relies on a balanced attack, aiming to replicate the 11-run production from Tuesday night to pressure Arizona's bullpen.

Stream the MLB on Fubo

Fubo is the essential destination for baseball fans. Catch regional sports networks like Dbacks.TV and CHSN, national broadcasts, and premier matchups with the most flexible streaming plans available, ensuring you never miss a highlight from the White Sox or Diamondbacks.

Fubo: New subscribers can check out current promotions to ensure they have access to local and national MLB coverage for the season. Follow the Diamondbacks as they aim for another deep NL postseason run.

Frequently Asked Questions

The Chicago White Sox are weighing a promotion for Triple-A infielder and outfielder Sam Antonacci, a versatile 23-year-old who has emerged as one of the organization's most coveted internal prospects following a standout World Baseball Classic appearance and a torrid start at Charlotte.

Antonacci delivered one of the tournament's signature moments for Team Italy in an 8-6 victory over Team USA, hitting a two-run home run, scoring on a wild pitch, and making a backhand play at shortstop on a 106.4 mph grounder off the bat of Brice Turang.

White Sox general manager Chris Getz offered an enthusiastic endorsement of the 2024 fifth-round pick out of Coastal Carolina.

"He's been turning heads since we drafted and signed him. How Sam is playing the game in the WBC is how he plays every game, hair on fire, locked in every pitch, always on the attack," Getz said. "In the past year, he has gotten stronger so the exit velos have increased. He can play all over the diamond, high contact, good decisions at the plate and overall advanced process with growing power. If we have interest in acquiring a player from another team, the first player they ask for is Sam."

Getz pushed back on Antonacci's modest public prospect rankings, where he sits 10th in one prominent outlet's White Sox top 20.

"He's a top prospect and has been — for some reason public rankings haven't caught up, but projection systems, including ours, have him in our top tier of prospects," Getz said. "We anticipate he'll be on our major-league club at some point this season. If you surveyed staff throughout our org what we want a White Sox player to look and play like, it's Sam Antonacci."

After drawing two walks Sunday, Antonacci is hitting .289 with a .484 on-base percentage and .928 OPS at Triple-A. The 5-foot-11, 193-pound switch is also a perfect 5-for-5 in stolen base attempts.

The Toronto Blue Jays acquired infielder Lenyn Sosa from the Chicago White Sox on Monday for minor league outfielder Jordan Rich and a player to be named later or cash considerations, both teams announced.

Toronto made the move to address offensive needs following the weekend loss of outfielder George Springer to a toe fracture. Newcomer Kazuma Okamoto has also gotten off to a slow start, leaving the Blue Jays searching for a spark. Toronto ranks in the middle of the pack across most offensive categories, hitting 14 home runs in 15 games this season.

Sosa, 26, led Chicago last season with 22 home runs and 75 RBIs. He is hitting .212 this season in limited action and carries a .245 career average with 37 home runs across 315 big league games. A versatile defender, Sosa has played every infield position during his five-year major league career, with most of his time logged at second base.

The White Sox, carrying a surplus of middle infielders but thin on outfield depth in their system, addressed that need with Rich. The 18-year-old was selected by Toronto in the 17th round of the 2025 draft out of American Heritage High School in Plantation, Florida, and has yet to appear in a professional game.

To clear space on the 40-man roster for Sosa, Toronto transferred pitcher Shane Bieber to the 60-day injured list.

Chicago White Sox pitching prospect Noah Schultz, a fixture on MLB's top 100 prospect lists for three straight years, will make his major league debut during next week's homestand, multiple outlets reported. The 6-foot-10 left-hander is expected to start Tuesday against the Tampa Bay Rays.

Schultz fills a rotation vacancy created by the demotion of 2025 All-Star Shane Smith, who posted a 10.80 ERA across three starts this season without completing the fourth inning in any outing.

A 2022 first-round pick out of Oswego East High School near Chicago, Schultz has dominated early in Triple-A Charlotte this season. In 14 innings, he carries a 1.29 ERA with 19 strikeouts and just two walks.

When he takes the mound, Schultz will join Randy Johnson and Eric Hillman as the tallest left-handed pitchers in MLB history.

Primarily a sinker/slider pitcher, Schultz sits 93-97 mph and can reach 99. His sinker generates ground balls at an elite rate, posting a 58 percent ground-ball rate even during a difficult 2025 campaign. His slider grades as an above-average offering, particularly effective against left-handed hitters.

A key adjustment this season has been increased cut fastball usage against right-handed batters, a clear area of focus after opponents posted an .890 OPS against him from the right side last year. In 32 plate appearances against right-handers this season, he has allowed just three hits and one walk while recording 10 strikeouts.

Injuries have been a persistent concern throughout Schultz's minor league career, including shoulder, flexor tendon, and patella issues. He has yet to exceed 100 innings in any single professional season.

Thursday’s series opener will be broadcast locally on CHSN (White Sox feed) and Royals.TV (Royals feed). First pitch is scheduled for 7:40 PM ET. Fans can stream the game in high definition on Fubo, which offers access to regional sports networks and national MLB coverage.

The Chicago White Sox (4-8) head to Kauffman Stadium this Thursday, April 9, looking to snap a three-game losing streak as they open a four-game set against the Kansas City Royals (5-7). The South Siders have struggled significantly away from home, posting just a 1-5 record on the road so far this season. Meanwhile, the Royals return home aiming to halt a two-game skid of their own and capitalize on a historic 14-game home winning streak against the White Sox.

Chicago's offense is currently paced by Japanese star Munetaka Murakami, who leads the team with four home runs. However, the lineup has been the lowest-scoring in the majors early on. They’ll face a stiff test in Royals veteran Seth Lugo, who has been lights-out with a 1.59 ERA. Catch every strikeout and home run live on Fubo.

The individual matchups are highlighted by the return of Anthony Kay (LHP) to a Major League rotation for the first time in several years. Kay will need to navigate a Kansas City lineup featuring Maikel Garcia and rookie Carter Jensen. On the other side, Lugo will look to maintain his control and keep the White Sox's struggling bats off balance. You can witness this AL Central clash streaming live on Fubo.

Kansas City's dominance at home against Chicago is a major storyline; Royals pitchers have allowed just 17 runs total during their recent 14-game home win streak over the Sox. For Chicago, the key will be whether Colson Montgomery can continue his high-contact trend to spark an offense in desperate need of runs. Fubo is your home for the complete broadcast.

White Sox vs. Royals Betting Odds & Predictions

The Royals enter the series opener as clear favorites. Given Seth Lugo’s form and Chicago’s road woes, the moneyline reflects significant confidence in the home team.

Prediction: While Anthony Kay offers a fresh look for the White Sox, Seth Lugo has historically dominated this lineup. Expect the Royals to utilize their home-field advantage and capitalize on Chicago's offensive struggles. Final Score: Royals 6, White Sox 2.

Individual Matchups: Stars and Playmakers

The marquee matchup features the power of Munetaka Murakami against the precision of Seth Lugo. Murakami has been the lone consistent power source for Chicago in the early going.

Kansas City relies on the speed and contact of Maikel Garcia to pressure opposing pitchers, supported by the veteran presence of Salvador Perez.

*Stats over last 10 games.

Stream the MLB on Fubo

Fubo is the essential destination for baseball fans. Catch regional sports networks like CHSN and Royals.TV, national broadcasts, and premier matchups with the most flexible streaming plans available, ensuring you never miss a highlight from the White Sox or Royals.

Fubo: New subscribers can check out current promotions to ensure they have access to local and national MLB coverage for the season. Follow the Royals as they look to climb the AL Central ladder.

Frequently Asked Questions