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Sean Newcomb to Open 2026 Season in Bullpen
Chicago White Sox pitcher Sean Newcomb will open the regular season in the bullpen, manager Will Venable told Kyle Williams of The Chicago Sun-Times. Newcomb has produced mixed results this spring. His 9.00 K/9, 2.45 BB/9, and 47.2% ground ball rate are impressive, but the same can't be said about his 1.64 HR/9 and 5.11 FIP. While Newcomb has experience starting and relieving, this decision shouldn't come as much of a surprise. Only five of his 48 appearances last year were starts, and he hasn't made more than five starts in a single season since 2018. Newcomb's placement in the bullpen should lead to Anthony Kay and Erick Fedde making the White Sox' Opening Day starting rotation. Pitching prospects Hagen Smith and Noah Schultz will likely open the year in Triple-A.
Source: Kyle Williams
Source: Kyle Williams
