Sox playoff roster: Here's the 26-man group for the ALDS originally appeared on NBC Sports Chicago
HOUSTON — The Chicago White Sox' roster is set for their American League Division Series matchup with the Houston Astros.
There wasn't a ton of mystery surrounding which 26 players would be selected, apart from the status of starting pitcher Carlos Rodón, whose persistently sore left shoulder and lengthy recovery times between outings had made it an unknown when it came to what he could do in the postseason.
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But Rodón was included on the roster, an indication that perhaps the team will attempt to do what manager Tony La Russa forecasted they might and try to get whatever the lefty can give in a playoff setting.
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As for the rest of the team, the surprises were few.
Lance Lynn, the team's Game 1 starter, and Lucas Giolito, who's scheduled to start Game 2 on Friday, joined Rodón and Dylan Cease to make up the ALDS rotation. La Russa said Wednesday that the team's Game 3 starter was to be determined.
The bullpen was well stocked, consisting of Liam Hendriks, Craig Kimbrel, Aaron Bummer, Ryan Tepera, Michael Kopech, Garrett Crochet, Reynaldo López and José Ruiz. Interestingly, starting pitcher Dallas Keuchel, who seemed ready to assume a bullpen role in the postseason, was not included on the ALDS roster.
So many White Sox stars are locked into their starting spots on the infield and in the outfield, so obviously José Abreu, Yasmani Grandal, Tim Anderson, Yoán Moncada, Eloy Jiménez and Luis Robert were included on the playoff roster. Abreu's status for Game 1, though, remained unknown Wednesday after a battle with flu-like symptoms delayed his arrival in Texas.
La Russa will have to figure out how to put together the puzzle at second base, in right field and at designated hitter, and many of the other position players on the ALDS roster — Leury García, César Hernández, Adam Engel, Gavin Sheets and Andrew Vaughn — could all factor into that decision-making.
Zack Collins will back up Grandal at catcher. Danny Mendick was included as a reserve infielder. Billy Hamilton figures to be called upon in big situations to utilize his tremendous speed and defensive abilities.
The team also announced a taxi squad for the series, which included Keuchel in addition to Jake Burger, Ryan Burr, Matt Foster, Jace Fry, Romy González, Brian Goodwin, Evan Marshall and Seby Zavala.
The White Sox and Astros play Game 1 of the ALDS at 3 p.m. Thursday
