White Sox Pitching Curse Strikes Again as Sixth Pitcher Set to Undergo Tommy John Surgery

Tommy John surgery has become an almost inevitable milestone in a pitcher’s career, but for the Chicago White Sox, it has turned into an alarming epidemic. With six pitchers facing the prospect of surgery, their roster has been decimated before the season has even begun. While Mason Adams remains in limbo pending a second opinion, history suggests it’s only a matter of time before he joins the growing list.

The White Sox have endured a brutal spring, with injuries gutting their pitching depth. Five pitchers have already been confirmed for Tommy John surgery: Prelander Berroa, Ky Bush, Juan Carela, Blake Larson, and most recently, Drew Thorpe. Thorpe, who underwent a procedure in September to remove a bone spur in his elbow, exited a minor league game this spring with discomfort, leading to the crushing revelation that he requires another surgery. The right-hander, who made his MLB debut in 2024 with nine starts and a 5.48 ERA, will be sidelined through the 2025 season.

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General manager Chris Getz also announced that the team is evaluating treatment options for Mason Adams, the club’s No. 12 prospect, who is dealing with elbow issues of his own. While Tommy John surgery has not been officially confirmed, it remains a strong possibility. Adams, a 2022 draft pick, showed promise in the minor leagues last season, posting a 7-5 record with a 2.92 ERA across 120.1 innings.

The injury wave began early in spring training when it was announced on March 7 that both Berroa and Carela would require surgery. Ky Bush had already undergone the procedure in February after experiencing elbow discomfort during the winter. This rash of injuries has left the White Sox scrambling for arms as they prepare for the long grind of a 162-game season.

Staying healthy is crucial for any team, but for the White Sox, it is even more imperative given their disastrous 2024 campaign. The team suffered through a historically bad season, tying a 14-game losing streak before enduring a staggering 21-game skid from July 10 to August 5. They ultimately set a franchise record with 107 losses and became the first team since the 1965 Mets to suffer three separate losing streaks of 10 or more games in one season. By September 27, they had lost their 121st game, surpassing the 1962 Mets for the most losses in modern MLB history.

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After such a catastrophic year, the White Sox desperately need their pitchers to stay healthy if they have any hope of turning things around. With the way things are going, however, that hope may already be slipping away.