Chicago White Sox right-handed pitcher Jesse Scholtens has suffered a torn UCL, rendering him unavailable for the entirety of the 2024 season. As a result, he has been designated for the 60-day injured list following the White Sox’s trade of left-handed pitcher Bailey Horn to the Chicago Cubs. Scholtens, aged 30, had his major league debut last year, making 26 appearances with 11 starts and pitching a total of 85 innings. During this time, he recorded a 5.29 ERA, with a 15.4% strikeout rate and an 8% walk rate.
It has been confirmed by Sox Machine’s James Fegan that Scholtens will undergo Tommy John surgery on Friday. Although he did not participate in Cactus League games during spring training, he was slated to serve as a depth option for the White Sox this season, given their array of pitching choices. The team made significant changes to its pitching roster last season, with players such as Lance Lynn, Joe Kelly, and Lucas Giolito being traded, while others like Mike Clevinger and Liam Hendriks left via free agency.
The #WhiteSox have acquired LHP Bailey Horn from the Chicago Cubs in exchange for RHP Matthew Thompson. To make room for Horn on the 40-man roster, the White Sox placed RHP Jesse Scholtens on the 60-day injured list with a torn ulnar collateral ligament in his right elbow.
— Chicago White Sox (@whitesox) February 27, 2024
Furthermore, the White Sox added new pitchers such as Erick Fedde, Chris Flexen, Mike Soroka, and Jared Shuster. Additionally, John Brebbia, Tim Hill, and Jesse Chavez were among the bullpen additions during the offseason. With several opportunities available for depth pitchers to step up and contribute this year, it is unfortunate that Scholtens will not be able to seize this chance. His recovery period is expected to extend into the early stages of the 2025 season, and the hope is for him to make a successful comeback.
A brief overview of Scholtens’ career reveals his achievements, including pitching a perfect game at Wright State and being selected by the San Diego Padres in the ninth round of the 2016 MLB Draft. He progressed through various levels of the minor leagues, demonstrating promise with notable statistics. However, his overall performance has been inconsistent, reflected in his minor league record of 29 wins, 41 losses, and a 4.27 ERA.
