James Karinchak DVOA, Advanced Stats, & Fantasy Rankings

According to the team, the Chicago White Sox have signed right-handed pitcher James Karinchak to a minor-league deal. The 29-year-old battled a shoulder injury throughout the season and was limited to just six 2/3 innings of work in the minor leagues. Karinchak posted a 2.70 ERA and a 1.35 WHIP with 12 punchouts in this limited stint. In 2023, Karinchak posted a 3.23 ERA and a 1.33 WHIP with 52 punchouts across 39 innings of work. The Bryant University product has flashed high-upside strikeout potential throughout his major league career and could earn a high-leverage role in the White Sox bullpen if he can perform well in spring training. Fantasy managers should continue to monitor his progression, as he could have value in deeper redraft formats if he makes the Opening Day roster.

Cleveland Guardians hard-throwing right-handed reliever James Karinchak (shoulder) went on a minor-league rehab assignment to Triple-A Columbus after touching as high as 93 mph while pitching at the team's spring training facility in Goodyear, Ariz. Manager Steven Vogt said there's a chance that Karinchak could pitch in the big leagues before the regular season ends. He reported to spring training in February with right-shoulder fatigue and has been working his way back ever since. If the 28-year-old isn't ready to pitch for the Guardians in September, it's unlikely that he'd be included on the postseason roster in October after missing the entire season. And if Karinchak returns in September, expected him to be eased into low-leverage spots. When healthy, Karinchak has the ability to be one of the most dominant high-leverage arms in baseball.

Cleveland Guardians pitcher James Karinchak is dealing with right shoulder fatigue in camp and will be on a slower schedule than the rest of the pitchers who reported to camp on Feb. 13. He will not throw for the first few days of workouts but the team is hopeful he can resume his throwing program shortly thereafter. The right-hander worked to a 3.23 ERA across 44 appearances with the Guardians in the 2023 season but was also surprisingly sent to the minors in June. He posted a 4.24 ERA in 23 minor-league appearances but also a 2.20 FIOP and a massive 43.8% K% in that time. His control was the reason behind the demotion as he posted a 16.4% BB% in the big leagues, lowering his K-BB% to just 14%, easily the worst mark of his big-league career.