Chicago White Sox Major Trade Acquisition Gives Worrisome Injury Update

Drew Thorpe, who was a Top-60 prospect in Major League Baseball at the time of his major league debut, is dealing with an elbow issue that is certainly a concern for the Chicago White Sox and their fans.

Chicago White Sox pitcher Drew Thorpe (33) in the dugout after being relieved against the Seattle Mariners during the first inning at Guaranteed Rate Field in 2024. | Matt Marton-Imagn Images

Speaking this weekend at SoxFest Live, Chicago White Sox pitcher Drew Thorpe revealed some concerning news: He had to receive a cortisone shot on his ailing elbow and will start spring training behind schedule.

Per Scott Merkin of MLB.com:

Drew Thorpe had a soreness setback this off-season. He got a cortisone shot today and hopes to pick up playing catch later this week. Will start Spring Training behind but not sure by how much.

Drew Thorpe had a soreness setback this off-season. He got a cortisone shot today and hopes to pick up playing catch later this week. Will start Spring Training behind but not sure by how much.

— Scott Merkin (@scottmerkin) January 24, 2025

Thorpe had season-ending surgery last September to get bone spurs removed from his elbow, so this is certainly not a great development, although he says there is nothing to worry about.

“I’m hoping that kind of clears it up and we are good to go from here,” Thorpe said during a media session prior to SoxFest Live on Friday at the Ramova Theatre. “Everything structurally in my arm -- I got MRIs a couple of weeks ago -- everything is clean, everything is good. It’s part of the surgery process, I guess.”

Acquired last offseason in the trade that sent Dylan Cease to the San Diego Padres, Thorpe was a Top-60 prospect (per MLB.com) at the time of his debut last June.

In nine starts for the White Sox, he went 3-3 with a 5.48 ERA. Not a hard-thrower, he struck out 25 batters in 44.1 innings.

The White Sox are coming off a season in which they went 41-121, playing to the worst record in Modern Era history. The only real saving grace for Chicago this season is the development of its young prospects, so if Thorpe were to be injured more than he thinks, that would be devastating for the organization.

The White Sox report to spring training in Glendale, Ariz. in just under three weeks.

Thorpe is just 24 years old.

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