Right-hander Bryse Wilson to provide bulk for depleted White Sox rotation

MINNEAPOLIS — White Sox right-hander Bryse Wilson said there’s no true difference going from a long relief role out of the bullpen to providing bulk for the team, except that he “sits in the dugout instead of the bullpen” during games.

Wilson has a very easy-going demeanor and a straightforward pitching philosophy that the team hopes translates into success. Wednesday would be left-hander Martin Perez’s turn in the rotation, but the veteran starter suffered a left flexor strain in Friday’s start against the Red Sox and was placed on the 60-day IL Monday.

Wilson, who has started 52 games over his eight-year MLB career, will likely be asked to provide bulk for the Sox as they try to piece together innings with Perez injured.

“I’ve done it the last couple years so [I’m] used to throwing a lot of pitches and looking forward to going out there and giving the team as much length as I can and kinda save the bullpen a bit on this stretch we’re on,” Wilson said.

Manager Will Venable said the onus won’t solely fall on Wilson’s shoulder, but he’s probably the team’s best option. Left-handers Tyler Gilbert and Jared Shuster are also options for the White Sox.

“These guys can go with multiple innings, obviously [reliever Mike Vasil],” Venable said. “We're going to have to figure out how to piece it together each day, but it really is nice to have multiple guys that can pitch multiple innings.”

Despite adjusting to a new role, Wilson said he'll have the same mindset he’s had.

“I just try to go out there and attack hitters the same way in both roles,” Wilson said. “It’s a little different seeing guys multiple times. It’s just going out and attacking the strike zone and being as efficient as possible.”

The main difference for Wilson will come when he sees a hitter a second and third time through the order. He’s only pitched 1 ⅓ innings after facing an order one time through.

In 2024, Wilson was effective when he faced an order for the second time: Wilson posted a 2.29 ERA over 19 ⅔ innings. Things got murky when Wilson faced a lineup a third time as he sported a 16.62 ERA over 4 ⅓ innings.

"We've asked him to come in some big spots on a shorter outing, and also we know he's got the capability of pitching multiple innings out of the bullpen and potentially even being a starter for us," Venable said.

Narvaez re-signed

Veteran catcher Omar Narvaez was re-signed to a minor-league deal and assigned to Triple-A Charlotte.

The team likes his veteran presence for their young pitching staff and his acumen behind the plate.

Injury updates

• Venable said catcher Korey Lee is continuing to make progress in his return from a left ankle sprain that Lee suffered on April 9 against the Guardians. Venable said the swelling is “pretty much all out of there,” but noted that a rehab assignment is not imminent.

• Venable said he hadn’t heard that anything was broken in infielder Chase Meidroth’s right thumb. Meidroth is still in recovery mode and hasn’t swung a bat but is participating in physical activity. The Sox placed Meidroth on the 10-day IL Monday.