Wednesday, July 22

ARLINGTON -- The official first pitch of the Arizona Complex League White Sox game on Saturday was not a misprint.

That’s right, 9:59 a.m. Mountain Standard Time.

Drew Thorpe, who has nine Major League starts on his resume, certainly didn’t push for that shortly after sunrise wakeup call. But in his long-awaited return to the mound for this injury rehab appearance, Thorpe probably would have taken the ball two or three hours earlier.

“10 a.m. starts should be illegal, but I’ll take it,” said a smiling Thorpe during a Tuesday Zoom. “I got myself up pretty early just [to] try to feel awake.

“I couldn’t complain. It was good to be back out there.”

At the age of 25, the right-hander already has been a key component in a trade sending All-star outfielder Juan Soto from the Padres to the Yankees on Dec. 7, 2023, and a deal moving All-Star right-hander Dylan Cease from the White Sox to the Padres on March 13, 2024. Unfortunately, Thorpe’s most recent claim to fame centers upon being knocked over by injuries for the last two years.

It was July 31, 2024, vs. the Royals when Thorpe last appeared in a big league contest, ending his season early to have a bone spur removed from his right elbow. He eventually underwent Tommy John surgery in April 2025, costing him the entire campaign, and had other setbacks leaving him behind other White Sox hurlers who had the procedure around the same time.

There even was an appendectomy to deal with this past May. The recovery from all these injuries added together made it look as if Thorpe wouldn’t return in ’26.

Things appear different now.

“Yeah, yeah, for sure. I feel really good. The outing on Saturday went really well,” said Thorpe, who struck out three over two scoreless innings in the Arizona morning. “In the last month or so, I’ve been bouncing back a lot better than I was earlier on in the throwing program and buildup process and everything. I’m in a really good spot right now.

“Obviously, it has been what feels like forever. It was good to touch the mound again in somewhat of a game. It’s a good start and just keep building from there.”

Tuesday’s Zoom took place from Winston-Salem on Thorpe’s end, where he will make his next start Friday for the High-A Dash. The target there is for three innings, followed by starts of four innings, four innings and five innings.

If all continues to go well for Thorpe, who certainly deserves a stretch of good results, he could be an August or September addition for a team pushing toward the postseason.

“I think so, but that’s up to them,” Thorpe said. “I’m just taking it day by day and doing what I can, but I feel like I’m in a really good spot right now. Just have to build up. That’s how it goes. I’m ready to go.”

“Personally, with Drew and him going through what he’s gone through over the last couple of years, would absolutely love to see it for him,” White Sox manager Will Venable said. “Would love to see it for us. If he’s capable of doing it and somebody that gives us a better chance to win, that’s something we’d all jump at.”

Venable has reached out to Thorpe from time to time, as the manager mentioned Tuesday, just to check in with him. As tough as the physical limitations and challenges have been for Thorpe, two years away from baseball has to be even tougher mentally.

Help from friends and teammates such as Ky Bush and Mason Adams, who went through Tommy John at the same time, helped Thorpe get through to this point.

“And a testament to the kind of guy he is, the character he has, that he can deal with tough things,” Venable said. “Obviously in baseball that’s what it’s all about, dealing with adversity. But there’s different levels of that, and he’s experienced about as tough as it can get.”

“Sometimes your mind creeps into that,” said Thorpe, who has added a sinker to his repertoire featuring a top-notch changeup. “But just kind of take it day by day and it’s out of my control and just keep pushing forward.”

Mark your 2027 calendar, if you have one at this point, for the White Sox opening series in Detroit running from March 25-28 with an off-day scheduled for Friday, March 26. The ’27 schedule release last week shows the White Sox starting with six games on the road at the Tigers and the Royals. They finished 1-5 over six road games in Milwaukee and Miami to begin ’26.

Their longest homestand runs from June 18-27, with three vs. the Twins, three against the Rangers and four against the Royals. The South Siders’ lone three-city road trip lasts from Sept. 10-19, with stops at the Braves, Yankees and Nationals. There’s also a journey to the Angels and Dodgers from April 23-28, making for a nice Los Angeles getaway.

Games against the Cubs line up for July 16-18 at Wrigley Field coming out of the All-Star break and Aug. 6-8 at home. As for the home opener? It’s April 1 against the Brewers.

Could the White Sox be celebrating something special on that day? Stay tuned.

• People keep waiting for this White Sox team to fall off a bit. They are having too much fun focusing on winning the American League Central and reaching the postseason to worry about such things. Check out my off-day story coming Thursday on this topic.

• I had three rideshares cancel on me before one finally picked me up at Globe Life Field 30 minutes later Monday. Of course, I handled that situation without any sort of angry reaction, and more importantly, feel as if I became better as a person.

• The chicken salad served in Rangers media dining might be my favorite single item in any media dining across baseball.

“In the past, I feel like there are times where I take this game for granted. Now I’m grateful to be in the position I’m in to play this game every day, and this is a small bump in the road.” -- Catcher Kyle Teel, after a high left ankle sprain suffered Monday left him sidelined for 6-12 weeks.

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