HOUSTON — The White Sox 26-man roster for the American League Division Series against the Houston Astros includes 12 pitchers, but not veteran left-handed starter Dallas Keuchel, who struggled in his second season with the team.
Keuchel, the Sox’ highest-paid pitcher at $18 million who is under contract for the same next season, became the Sox’ fifth- or sixth-best starter and was a question mark for the roster in a best-of-five series that requires four starters at most. Keuchel posted a 5.28 ERA to go with a 9-9 record. The 2015 Cy Young winner with the Astros, he was fifth in Cy Young voting last season after going 6-2 with a 1.99 ERA.
Left-hander Carlos Rodon, who has pitched through a sore shoulder in the last two months, made the roster, as expected.
Danny Mendick, who played for Triple-A Charlotte at the end of the season, made the team as an extra bench infielder. Mendick has also played the outfield this season. Zack Collins is the No. 2 catcher.
Game 1 is today at 3:07 p.m. at Minute Maid Park.
Here is the roster:
Right-handed pitchers:
Dylan Cease, Lucas Giolito, Liam Hendriks, Craig Kimbrel, Michael Kopech, Reynaldo López, Lance Lynn, José Ruiz, Ryan Tepera.
Left-handed pitchers:
Aaron Bummer, Garrett Crochet, Rodón.
Catchers:
Zack Collins, Yasmani Grandal
Infielders:
José Abreu, Tim Anderson, Leury García, César Hernández, Danny Mendick, Yoán Moncada, Gavin Sheets.
Outfielders:
Adam Engel, Billy Hamilton, Eloy Jiménez, Luis Robert, Andrew Vaughn.
The taxi squad consists of infielder Jake Burger, right-handers Ryan Burr, Matt Foster and Evan Marshall, left-handers Jace Fry and Keuchel, infielder Romy González, outfielder Brian Goodwin and catcher Seby Zavala.
