The White Sox are taking a calculated swing on a lefty with both starting experience and recent bullpen success, signing Sean Newcomb to a one-year, $4.5 million deal for the 2026 season. In a corresponding move, Chicago designated fellow southpaw Ryan Rolison for assignment, clearing the roster spot for Newcomb’s arrival.
This isn’t Newcomb’s first time bouncing between roles-or teams. He began 2025 on a minor league deal with the Red Sox, eventually making 11 appearances for Boston, including five starts.
The numbers were mixed: an 0-4 record with a 3.83 ERA and 41 strikeouts over 40 innings. But the underlying stuff showed signs of life, especially considering his strikeout rate and how he navigated lineups multiple times.
Then came the midseason move. On May 27, Newcomb was traded to the Athletics for cash considerations-a low-risk pickup that paid off for Oakland.
He found another gear out west, finishing the season with a 2-1 record, a sharp 1.75 ERA, and 50 strikeouts over 51 1/3 innings. He even picked up a pair of saves, showcasing some late-inning versatility.
That kind of production, especially from the left side, doesn’t go unnoticed.
Now in Chicago, Newcomb is expected to get a real shot at cracking the starting rotation, according to league sources. And while he thrived out of the bullpen in Oakland, the White Sox clearly believe there’s still starter upside in his arm. It’s not a stretch-he’s got a long history of starting, dating back to his early days in the majors.
Newcomb’s career has been a winding road. Drafted 15th overall by the Angels in 2014, he was later flipped to Atlanta, where he made his MLB debut in 2017.
He came close to etching his name in history the following year, nearly throwing a no-hitter against the Dodgers. Since then, he’s had his ups and downs, but the talent has always been there.
Over nine big-league seasons, he’s compiled a 30-30 record with a 4.20 ERA and 529 strikeouts in 523 1/3 innings.
For a White Sox team in transition, this is the kind of move that makes sense-low risk, decent upside, and a chance to stabilize a pitching staff that could use some depth and flexibility. Whether Newcomb ends up in the rotation or slides into a high-leverage bullpen role, he brings experience, swing-and-miss stuff, and a left-handed presence that’s always valuable.
In short: Newcomb’s getting another shot to start. The White Sox are betting he can make the most of it.