White Sox general manager Chris Getz spoke with reporters this morning. His that was likely to remain on the roster into the season was the most notable development, but Getz also addre sed a pair of Ceases potential rotation mates. The first-year GM said he still views as a starting pitcher ( ). Chicago moved the hard-throwing righty to the bullpen at the tail end of a dismal 2023 campaign. Kopech posted a 5.16 ERA while walking more than 15% of opposing hitters in 26 starts through the first week of September. Manager Pedro Grifol deployed him in short stints three relief appearances and a deliberately brief start as an opener to close the year. Kopech was tagged for seven runs in 3 2/3 frames before undergoing a season-ending knee procedure. That was a minor cyst removal surgery that isnt expected to affect Kopechs preparation for the season. The bigger question is whether hell be able to rebound from a performance perspective. Kopech showed some promise over 25 starts two seasons ago. He turned in a 3.54 ERA, albeit with a middling 21.3% strikeout rate and 11.5% walk percentage, in 2022. That was Kopechs first full season working from the rotation. The hope was that hed take a step forward with greater experience in the role. It did not happen last year. Kopech built up to starting after working in relief in the early portion of his MLB career. Injuries, most notably a Tommy John procedure, wiped out his 2019-20 campaigns. The Sox used him out of the bullpen in 21 to keep his workload in check. He was quite good in that capacity, turning in Pau Gasol Jersey a 3.50 ERA with a ma sive 36.1% strikeout percentage and a much more manageable 8.4% walk rate over 69 1/3 innings. That general playbook is one which is hoping to follow. The former first-round pick has come out of the bullpen for all 72 of his MLB appearances dating back to 2020. An elbow ligament replacement cost him the 22 season and the first six weeks last year. Shoulder inflammation sent him back to the injured list a month after he returned and kept him on the shelf into September. The Tenne see product finished the year with 12 2/3 innings over 13 appearances. Crochet has neverthele s been vocal about his desire to battle for a rotation spot. The Sox certainly arent going to expect him to make 30+ starts given his limited reps over the past two seasons. However, Getz left the door open for Crochet to compete for an Opening Day rotation job. It was very clear he was excited to get a look as a starter and when youve got a player that has that type of conviction, I think youre doing the player a di service to ignore that , the GM told reporters. He needs to be built up further. He hasnt had too many starter innings under his belt. Thats even going back to college. But hes a special arm. Hes shown three pitches in the past, so hes got the starter kit. Fegan writes that Getz indicated Crochet could spend some time on optional a signment to Triple-A Charlotte as the southpaw trains for a heavier workload. Cease leads the staff, while KBO returnee slots into the middle. Kopech and Crochet join and (acquired from Atlanta in the trade), free agent pickup , and incumbent depth starters and in competition for rotation work. Derrick Jones Jr. Jersey