The Chicago White Sox dipped into the waiver wire and took a flier on a once-hyped arm, claiming left-hander Ryan Rolison from the Atlanta Braves. It’s not a splashy move, but for a rebuilding club hunting for controllable pitching, Rolison is the sort of calculated gamble that could quietly reshape a staff if things finally break right.
White Sox Capitalize on Roster Flexibility to Land Ryan Rolison
The timing here isn’t random. The White Sox entered the offseason with multiple open spots on their 40-man roster, so they had the flexibility to pounce when other clubs faced tough decisions.
Atlanta had just signed right-hander Robert Suarez and needed room, so they designated Rolison for assignment. Chicago didn’t wait long to step in.
With that available roster space, the Sox could add Rolison without making a corresponding move. For a team that lost 102 games in 2025 and is deep in a rebuild, these are the chances they need to take: cheap, controllable arms who were once coveted prospects but got sidetracked by injuries or circumstances.
How Rolison Ended Up on the Waiver Wire
Rolison’s recent journey shows how unforgiving roster management can be in a win-now environment. The Colorado Rockies originally designated him for assignment, and he barely got settled with Atlanta before they removed him from their 40-man as well.
The Braves want to win now and simply can’t wait on his development. The White Sox, though, have time and patience that contending teams lack.
From First-Round Promise to Injury Setbacks
Why are the White Sox even interested? You have to go back to Rolison’s pedigree. The Colorado Rockies picked him 22nd overall in the 2018 MLB Draft, seeing him as a polished college arm with mid-rotation potential.
For a while, he backed up that optimism and landed on prospect lists as one of Colorado’s more intriguing arms. Then, everything stalled out.
The pandemic-related cancellation of the 2020 minor league season hit at a terrible time for his development. Even worse, Rolison battled recurring shoulder issues that cost him huge chunks of time, including all of 2022.
For a pitcher, especially a starter, losing that much mound time can wreck both stuff and command. It’s hard to overstate how tough that is to come back from.
The Numbers Behind Rolison’s Ups and Downs
Rolison finally made his major league debut in 2025, but it didn’t go well. Over 42 1/3 innings, he posted a 7.02 ERA.
The low strikeout rate and high walks show a pitcher still searching for both feel and finishing stuff. Still, that 47.9% ground-ball rate stands out. It means he’s still generating weak contact on the ground—a skill that could matter with better command and some defensive help.
In the minors, especially in the hitter-friendly Pacific Coast League, Rolison gave a more encouraging glimpse. Across 29 2/3 innings, he put up a 3.34 ERA with a 25.2% strikeout rate.
Missing bats and surviving in a notorious launching pad? That’s the sort of data point front offices love when eyeing buy-low candidates.
Why Rolison Fits What the White Sox Need Right Now
For the White Sox, this move fits their broader strategy after a brutal 102-loss 2025 campaign. They aren’t a couple of veteran signings away from contending.
They need upside plays who can grow with the next competitive core—or maybe provide mid-season trade value if things click.
Rolison checks several important boxes:
That all makes him a classic low-risk, high-upside addition. If the shoulder issues are finally behind him and the command returns to something close to his pre-injury form, the Sox might have found a cost-controlled left-hander who can help in the rotation or out of the bullpen.
What Success Would Look Like for Rolison in Chicago
Honestly, the White Sox aren’t expecting Rolison to turn into an ace overnight. Success for him might mean a few things:
For a rebuilding team, even small contributions go a long way. They help cover innings, give the young guys a breather, and spark some healthy competition on a staff that could really use it.
Here is the source article for this story: White Sox Claim Ryan Rolison
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