Lance Lynn of the Chicago White Sox will be out for at least a month due to a minor knee tear. Who will take his position on the team?
At his best, Lynn is a top-5 AL Cy Young candidate, as he has been the last three healthy seasons. Regrettably, he’ll have to sit out the 2022 season.
Rick Hahn revealed that the White Sox’s star pitcher will be out for at least four months and will be re-evaluated soon after due to the injury.
“It’s all part of the game,” Hahn stated on Sunday. “I’m aware that we have a highly good and deep roster.” Over the next seven months, we, like every other club, will experience some difficulties. The men in that clubhouse and coach’s room have a lot of strength, and it will help us a lot. “
Replacements for Lance Lynn
As this message implies, Lynn isn’t easy to “replace.” However, someone must enter the rotation to begin the season. In-house possibilities like Vince Velasquez and Reynaldo Lopez, two righties who can fill out the bottom of the rotation, are likely to have first dibs.
On Sunday, when Lynn was scheduled for an MRI, MLB Trade Rumors hinted at this:
“Swingmen Reynaldo Lopez and Vince Velasquez were involved in the bullpen picture, though at least one of the two hurlers will likely step into the rotation if Lynn’s injury requires an IL trip. Velasquez was signed to a one-year, $3MM deal in March to provide some added pitching depth, though surely the White Sox weren’t planning on having to utilize this depth quite so soon,” Mark Polishuk of MLBTR wrote.
Lance Lynn is out of the Chicago White Sox rotation
The White Sox’s rotation without Lynn looks like this, according to the team’s website:
- Lucas Giolito
- Dylan Cease
- Michael Kopech
- Dallas Keuchel
- Lopez/Velasquez
The Sox may also look outside the organization for pitching help, though this would take time unless it came in the form of a trade. Before being integrated into the rotation, each free agent would require some adjustments.
Given Chicago’s pitching shortage, giving Lopez and/or Velasquez a shot to start the season might be a better option.
