White Sox Elevate McDougal and Smith for MLB Debuts
The Chicago White Sox will promote top pitching prospects Tanner McDougal and Hagen Smith to the majors for their big-league debuts. McDougal is already on the 40-man roster; Smith’s contract will be selected after creating a spot by optioning Noah Schultz and David Sandlin. Sandlin was recalled to cover after Chris Murphy went on the IL, but a mound-visit error by manager Will Venable led Schultz to be removed early in Sandlin’s outing. With Murphy sidelined by a left flexor strain, Chicago needs a fifth starter by midweek and will weigh rotation options like Fedde, Cannon, Urquidy, or Thorpe. Smith, a 2024 first-round pick, has a plus fastball and wipeout slider but needs refinement and command; McDougal has a plus fastball with a mid-80s slider and control questions. Both could debut this weekend as the Sox push to stabilize their bullpen.
