If this were April, there would be no daily watch for whether second baseman Chase Meidroth’s sore left hamstring would allow him to return to the White Sox lineup.
“He wouldn’t be playing for a couple of days,” said manager Will Venable. “There would be absolutely no chance that we’d allow him to play. But we considered it because of how important this game is.”
For the second-straight game, Meidroth did not start for the Sox. But his absence stung more on Saturday, as well if it extends to Sunday, with the Rockies throwing left-handed starters each day. Sam Antonacci, who only sporadically plays against lefties, was tapped to man second base in his stead.
Meidroth has obliterated southpaws all year–.346/.428/.583–to the point where Venable said they considered having him serve as designated hitter. Ultimately, the Sox felt having Tommy Pham at DH–who hasn’t played the field since returning from a left calf strain–was a better option than a compromised Meidroth.
Will Venable on Chase Meidroth and his sore left hamstring pic.twitter.com/23Kl7G5BG4
— James Fegan (@JRFegan) September 26, 2026
The team’s playoff situation presents a quandary. Having Meidroth further injure his hamstring and miss postseason games would be a devastating loss of arguably their second-best position player. The best solution for a soft tissue injury would be the five days off the Sox would earn by catching the Guardians and winning the American League Central title. The lineup that gives them the best chance to overtake Cleveland involves Meidroth.
Even with all that in mind, Meidroth’s hamstring did not improve enough from Friday to get in the lineup.
“It was just too big of a risk,” Venable said. “He wants to play and wasn’t very happy with me.”
Rogers on paternity leave
The White Sox placed backup catcher Jake Rogers on paternity leave on Saturday, a move which requires a minimum absence of one day from the active roster and a maximum of three, and was made with two days left in the regular season.
Drew Romo was recalled from Triple-A to fill Rogers’ spot, but only technically. Revered by White Sox pitchers and coaches for his defense, Romo has remained with the team since being optioned on Sept. 4 as a “taxi squad” member.
At this time of the year, neither Romo nor Rogers will see much action. Starting catcher Kyle Teel has started each of the Sox’ last seven games, entering Saturday with a .808 OPS in September.
After setting strikeout record, Montgomery sits
While he professed to only care about helping his playoff-bound team win games, many with the White Sox are hopeful that Colson Montgomery setting a new MLB single-season record with his 224th strikeout on Friday will be a weight off the struggling shortstop’s shoulders, and no longer a source of anxiety.
Maybe it will be, but it will take time to reveal. Montgomery has fared better against left-handers this season, but Luisangel Acuna got the nod at shortstop on Saturday against Rockies starter Jose Quintana.
“We’re not sitting him because we think he needs a day” Venable said. “I’m putting the group out there that I think gives us the best chance to win. [Saturday], Colson just wasn’t part of that group. Obviously, having broken the record is something that he needs to deal with in his own way. I can tell you he’s been amazing today in the clubhouse.”
