SEAN BURKE NEWS

'I think I put my best foot forward': Smith hoping to lock down rotation spot PHOENIX -- When White Sox manager Will Venable named right-hander Sean Burke to be Chicago’s Opening Day starter against the Angels at Rate...

MARCH 20 • MLB.COM

Gets Opening Day nod White Sox manager Will Venable confirmed over the weekend that Burke will start the team's season opener March 27 versus the Angels in Chicago, Scott Merkin of MLB.com reports.

Impact Burke made just four appearances (three starts) for the White Sox at the tail end of the 2024 season, but he dazzled in those outings with a 1.42 ERA, 1.00 WHIP and 22:7 K:BB in 19 innings. He's been shakier this spring in allowing five runs (four earned) on nine hits and five walks over 10.2 innings, but with few appealing alternatives on hand, Burke was awarded the Opening Day assignment. The 25-year-old righty has shown bat-missing ability at every stop of his professional career, but the strikeout stuff has often been accompanied by walk rates north of 10 percent. Though Burke turned some heads during his brief taste of the big leagues in 2024, expect more volatility in his performance during his first season as a full-time starter in the majors.

MARCH 19 • ROTOWIRE

Skenes highlights MLB opening day starter list as youngest since '14 to take mound to begin season

Pittsburgh right-hander Paul Skenes will be the youngest pitcher in 11 years to start a season opener when he takes the mound for the Pirates

MARCH 18 • Associated Press

Joey Gallo, pitcher? Former INF/OF eyes new position after White Sox release

Former infielder and outfielder Joey Gallo is planning to try pitching after he was released by the Chicago White Sox.

MARCH 16 • FOX SPORTS

Surprise! White Sox name Sean Burke Opening Day starter Right-hander with four major leagues experience gets nod to start vs. Angels on March 27 in Chicago

MARCH 16 • SUNTIMES.COM

Joey Gallo is planning to try pitching after he was released by the White Sox

Joey Gallo is planning to try pitching after he was released by the Chicago White Sox

MARCH 16 • Associated Press

Secures rotation spot Manager Will Venable announced Friday that Burke will be in the White Sox's season-opening rotation, Scott Merkin of MLB.com reports.

Impact The right-hander made his MLB debut down the stretch last season and allowed just three earned runs with a 22:7 K:BB across 19 innings, and he'll retain that rotation spot for the start of 2025. Burke is one of the organization's top prospects, though his performance at Triple-A Charlotte last year was underwhelming, as he finished with a 4.62 ERA in 16 starts.

MARCH 14 • ROTOWIRE

Focused on durability Burke has worked with a physical therapist this offseason in the hopes of increasing the durability of his arm, Scott Merkin of MLB.com reports.

Impact Burke had an impressive big-league debut to close out the 2024 season, maintaining a 22:7 K:BB across 19 innings while allowing only three earned runs. That puts him in prime position to grab a rotation spot for the White Sox to begin 2025. Durability will be one key to securing the role, as Burke has been forced to work through right shoulder soreness for the past two seasons. Burke reported that he has felt good this offseason and also worked on getting comfortable with a two-seam fastball to complement the rest of his repertoire, including a four seamer, curveball, changeup and slider.

FEBRUARY 5 • ROTOWIRE

Helped by hooping past, Burke braces for rotation battle This story was excerpted from Scott Merkin’s White Sox Beat newsletter. To read the full newsletter, click here. And subscribe to get it reg...

FEBRUARY 4 • MLB.COM

Blanks Detroit for second win Burke (2-0) picked up the win Saturday, allowing two hits and three walks over five scoreless innings in a 4-0 victory over the Tigers. He struck out six.

Impact The start of the game was delayed by over two hours due to rain, but Burke wasn't fazed by having to sit around in the clubhouse before taking the mound. The rookie right-hander tossed 84 pitches (49 strikes) in his final outing of the season, and through four appearances in September with the big-league club, Burke put together an eye-popping 1.42 ERA, 1.00 WHIP and 22:7 K:BB over 19 innings. The 2021 third-round pick could head into spring training next year as a favorite to secure a regular rotation spot with the White Sox.

SEPTEMBER 29, 2024 • ROTOWIRE

Blanks Detroit for second win Burke (2-0) picked up the win Saturday, allowing two hits and three walks over five scoreless innings in a 4-0 victory over the Tigers. He struck out six.

Impact The start of the game was delayed by over two hours due to rain, but Burke wasn't fazed by having to sit around in the clubhouse before taking the mound. The rookie right-hander tossed 84 pitches (49 strikes) in his final outing of the season, and in four September appearances with the big-league club, Burke put together an eye-popping 1.42 ERA, 1.00 WHIP and 22:7 K:BB over 19 innings. The 2021 third-round pick could head into spring training next year as a favorite to secure a regular rotation spot with the White Sox.

SEPTEMBER 29, 2024 • ROTOWIRE

Impressive against San Diego Burke did not factor into the decision in Sunday's 4-2 loss to the Padres, allowing one run on two hits and a walk while striking out eight over six innings.

Impact Burke held his own against a tough Padres lineup with his only mistake being a solo home run to Jurickson Profar in the third inning. Burke generated 15 whiffs on the afternoon and has greater than a 30 percent whiff rate across 14 MLB innings which has led to 16 strikeouts. Burke should have one more start before the season concludes, which should come over the weekend against the Tigers.

SEPTEMBER 23, 2024 • ROTOWIRE

Nabs another start Burke is scheduled to start Sunday's game against the Padres in San Diego.

Impact The rookie right-hander will receive a second turn through the White Sox rotation after he impressed in his first MLB start this past Sunday, holding the Athletics to two runs and striking out five over five innings en route to grabbing the win. For his second start, Burke will get a tough test against a Padres lineup that has produced a 117 wRC+ against right-handed pitching this season.

SEPTEMBER 17, 2024 • ROTOWIRE

Notches first win Burke (1-0) yielded two runs on five hits and two walks over five innings Sunday, striking out five and earning a win against the Athletics.

Impact Burke sprinkled a few baserunners over four shutout frames before Brent Rooker drilled a two-run shot in the fifth inning. Burke picked up his first career win in his second MLB appearance. He forced 15 whiffs, including seven with the slider. Burke has registered a 2.25 ERA and an 8:3 K:BB through eight MLB frames. He's in line for a weekend start in San Diego.

SEPTEMBER 16, 2024 • ROTOWIRE

Start confirmed for Sunday Burke is listed as the White Sox's probable starting pitcher for Sunday's game against the Athletics in Chicago.

Impact He'll fill the vacant fifth spot in the White Sox rotation after Nick Nastrini was optioned to Triple-A Charlotte earlier this week. Burke was called up from Triple-A in a corresponding move and made his MLB debut out of the bullpen Tuesday against Cleveland, striking out three while allowed an unearned run on three hits and one walk over three innings. He was a full-time starter for Charlotte prior to his promotion, pitching to a 4.62 ERA, 1.29 WHIP and 86:36 K:BB in 64.1 innings.

SEPTEMBER 14, 2024 • ROTOWIRE

Joining White Sox rotation White Sox interim manager Grady Sizemore said Wednesday that Burke is "in line" to get a start the next time the club has an opening in the rotation, Vinnie Duber of AllCHGO.com re...

Impact Burke pitched well out of the bullpen in his major-league debut Tuesday versus the Guardians, yielding one unearned run with three strikeouts over three innings of work. The 24-year-old has made 16 starts this season with Triple-A Charlotte, collecting a 4.62 ERA and 86:36 K:BB across 64.1 innings. Burke looks to be in line to start either Sunday at home against the Athletics or Monday on the road versus the Angels.

SEPTEMBER 11, 2024 • ROTOWIRE

Works in long relief Tuesday Burke struck out three batters and allowed one unearned run on three hits and one walk over three innings of relief in Tuesday's 5-0 loss to the Guardians.

Impact Called up from Triple-A Charlotte earlier Tuesday, Burke was put to work right away in his MLB debut, entering the contest in the top of the seventh with the White Sox facing a four-run deficit. Burke escaped his debut outing with an unblemished ERA, even though he was at fault for the Guardians' final run of the night in the top of the ninth, when he committed a throwing error while attempting to pick off Steven Kwan at first base. Prior to his promotion, Burke had been a full-time member of the rotation at Charlotte, making 16 starts while logging a 4.62 ERA, 1.29 WHIP and 86:36 K:BB in 64.1 innings. The White Sox are currently running with a four-man rotation, so Burke could be the top choice the next time the club requires a fifth starter.

SEPTEMBER 11, 2024 • ROTOWIRE

Promoted Tuesday The White Sox selected Burke's contract from Triple-A Charlotte on Tuesday.

Impact The right-hander is up with Chicago for his first taste of the big leagues after posting a 4.62 ERA, 1.29 WHIP and 86:36 K:BB over 64.1 frames in Charlotte's rotation. Burke should immediately be available out of the bullpen for the White Sox, but he's possible he's given a start or two with Nick Nastrini being sent to Triple-A in a corresponding transaction.

SEPTEMBER 10, 2024 • ROTOWIRE

Roughed up in debut Burke (shoulder) returned from Triple-A Charlotte's 7-day injured list Tuesday and worked 1.2 innings that day in a 5-4 loss to Louisville, giving up five earned runs on one hit an...

Impact Burke's season debut was delayed after he experienced shoulder soreness coming out of spring training, and he probably could have benefited from a longer wait before making his debut, given how poorly it went. He needed 43 pitches just to record five outs and threw only 19 strikes in the outing. The White Sox haven't indicated that Burke suffered any setbacks with the shoulder in the start, but the fact that he's back off the active roster again suggests that he likely won't be cleared to take the hill the next time his turn comes up in the Charlotte rotation.

APRIL 23, 2023 • ROTOWIRE