Bench and bullpen depth lift White Sox into buzz

With a crowded, productive bench and a bullpen that’s quickly becoming reliable, manager Will Venable has the White Sox in their most promising stretch in five years—just as an injury threatens to disrupt their lineup.

In Philadelphia on a Sunday when the result mattered and the margin for error felt small, the White Sox got another reminder that they’re not just surviving early-season uncertainty—they’re using it.

Randal Grichuk, a veteran outfielder signed with the Sox last month, delivered when it counted. He knocked a pinch-hit. two-run single in the White Sox’ rubber game against the Phillies. adding to a run that has turned him into one of their biggest unscripted sparks. Since signing, Grichuk has hit .294/.321/.686 with six homers.

That moment didn’t come out of nowhere. Grichuk has also produced two pinch-hit home runs over the past month, and the Sox’ reserves have backed him up. Derek Hill, the team’s other reserve outfielder, has swatted two pinch-hit dingers in the same timeframe. Combined, their work has helped the Sox rack up MLB-high four pinch-hit home runs this year.

For manager Will Venable, that kind of depth is more than a feel-good luxury. It’s a strategy he’s learning to execute—especially in a season shaped by the need to keep the lineup moving even when a key piece goes missing. The Sox’ early promise. built around an infield core that includes shortstop Colson Montgomery. Chase Meidroth and Miguel Vargas. has now been supplemented by additional everyday contributors early this season: Munetaka Murakami. Tristan Peters and Sam Antonacci.

But an injury has forced the Sox to flex. Murakami is dealing with a hamstring injury that could sideline him until next month. While that uncertainty hangs over the middle of the lineup, the offense hasn’t visibly stalled. The Sox posted 39 runs in the first seven games Murakami has been out of the lineup. and rookie call-up Jacob Gonzalez has helped stabilize things with 6-for-20 hitting. including a homer and four RBI.

“It’s huge,” Grichuk said. “There are some ballclubs out there that don’t use their bench, and there are some that do, and [Venable] does a great job of keeping us all as fresh as he can while trying to win ballgames, playing the matchups and understanding who’s hot and who needs more at-bats.”

There’s another reason the Sox’ bench feels like it’s paying off right now. Venable isn’t simply keeping extra players ready—he’s keeping them in rhythm.

“What he’s done a good job of keeping his bench in games,” Grichuk said. “There are opportunities to leave the guys out there, and there are opportunities to get the bench some reps, even if it’s one at-bat here and there to stay as fresh as you can. It’s tough, and he’s done a great job.”

Pitching has helped carry the rest of the load. Davis Martin’s star turn as the ace of an improved pitching staff hasn’t hurt. either. but the bullpen is where the Sox’ confidence has started to look measurable. Entering play Sunday, Sox relievers had thrown an MLB-high 280 1/3 innings while limiting opponents to a fourth-lowest .232 batting average.

Sox bullpen coach Matt Wise described a process that depends on flexibility and feedback. “We just talk about it on a daily basis, and he’s wide open to all input,” Wise said. “It’s probably the toughest thing for any manager in the first couple of years. but having flexible guys down there makes it a little easier.”.

That flexibility showed up in Saturday’s win. when the bullpen posted a season-high 13 strikeouts—seven from bulk thrower Sean Burke and three from veteran swing man Sean Newcomb. Newcomb entered with a 2.35 ERA in 38 1/3 innings and has proven to be one of Venable’s most reliable and versatile arms.

“He’s a leader down there,” Wise said.

Newcomb echoed the role with a kind of steady readiness. “I’m ready for the ball whenever, whether it’s the ninth or early right after the starter, or if something else happens,” Newcomb said. “I take a lot of pride in taking the ball whenever and for as long as I can.”

The bullpen also includes fireballer Grant Taylor, big-money closer Seranthony Dominguez, and lanky hurler Bryan Hudson. For Wise, coaching that group has quickly become energizing, not exhausting.

“It’s the most fun I’ve ever had as a coach,” Wise said. “It’s not even close. The guys, the energy after the game, the energy before the game, just the camaraderie that the guys have. It’s easy to say that when you’re winning. But it truly is the most fun to be around.”

White Sox Will Venable Randal Grichuk Derek Hill bullpen Matt Wise Sean Newcomb Munetaka Murakami injury Jacob Gonzalez Davis Martin Seranthony Dominguez Sean Burke