The White Sox made headlines earlier this week by releasing right-hander Corey Knebel, as reported by Sox Machine’s James Fegan and other members of the team’s beat. According to MLB.com’s profile page for Knebel, the transaction was labeled as an “elected free agency,” indicating that Knebel exercised an opt-out clause in the minor league contract he signed last winter.
It has been almost two years since Knebel suffered a capsule tear in his right shoulder. After sitting out the entire 2023 season, he made his return to action in June through a rehab assignment with Chicago’s rookie league affiliate. Following his activation from the IL in July, Knebel progressed through the ranks to high-A and then to Triple-A. In the current season, Knebel holds a 5.91 ERA over 10 2/3 innings, with five of his seven earned runs coming from one tough outing at high-A ball.
During his time at Triple-A, Knebel impressed with a perfect 0.00 ERA across 5 1/3 innings, boasting a 44.4% strikeout rate and an 11.1% walk rate. Despite this strong performance in a limited sample size, it appears that the White Sox did not have plans to promote Knebel to the majors. While arguments can be made that the struggling 27-85 White Sox, who recently lost 18 consecutive games, could use all the pitching help they can get, it seems the team is focusing on giving innings to younger pitchers for the remainder of the season, prompting Knebel to seek opportunities elsewhere.
32-year-old Knebel’s last major league outing was in 2022, where he posted a 3.43 ERA in 44 2/3 innings pitching for the Phillies. The shoulder capsule tear adds to a string of significant injuries for Knebel, including missing the entire 2019 season due to Tommy John surgery and being limited to 25 2/3 innings in 2021 with the Dodgers due to a lat strain.
Throughout his career, Knebel has accumulated a 3.26 ERA over 306 2/3 innings across eight seasons in the big leagues. His standout season came in 2017 when he was named an All-Star as the Brewers’ closer. With his track record, it’s likely that Knebel will find a new team willing to offer him a minor league deal, and continued strong performances in the minors could pave the way for his return to the MLB before the 2024 season concludes.
In conclusion, Corey Knebel’s journey back to the big leagues has hit a bump in the road with his release from the White Sox, yet his resilience and talent suggest that his story is far from over. As he looks to carve out a path with a new team, fans of the game eagerly await his return to the mound, where he can once again showcase his pitching prowess and contribute to a team’s success. Stay tuned to DeFi Daily News for more trending articles on baseball and beyond!
