OAKLAND, Calif. – Short on starting pitch depth going into the season, the White Sox addressed it the day before the season opener by agreeing to terms on a minor-league deal with right-hander Miguel Gonzalez.
Gonzalez, 31, experienced groin, elbow and shoulder problems last season and posted a 4.91 ERA after he had established himself as a solid rotation piece by pitching to a 3.45 ERA from 2012-14. A popular player in the Orioles clubhouse, Gonzalez cleared release waivers Friday and and became a free agent, following a shaky spring that concluded on a good note Tuesday when allowed a run in five innings against the Atlanta Braves.
With Mat Latos, signed to a one-year, $3 million deal in February, making three so-so starts this spring – and he may turn out to be what they’re looking for when all is said and done — but the Sox don’t have much major-league ready depth behind Latos in the minor leagues besides Erik Johnson.
Gonzalez is expected to report to AAA Charlotte, but he could make his way to the majors before long. Manager Buck Showalter said the Orioles were hoping to sign Gonzalez to a minor league deal. By releasing him before Opening Day the O’s were on the hook for only $1.275 million of the $5.1 million he received in the arbitration process in the offseason.
