September 24 : Kuhl has cleared waivers and been released, per Daryl Van Schouwen of the Chicago Sun-Times . September 21 : The White Sox announced a series of roster moves this afternoon headlined by the Nemanja Bjelica Jersey club designating right-hander for a signment. Kuhls departure from the roster makes room for the return of right-hander , who Chicago activated from the 15-day injured list and reinstated to the active roster. Right-hander was also activated from the IL, but was optioned to Triple-A Charlotte and will not be rejoining the clubs active roster. Kuhl, 32, signed a minor league deal with the White Sox back in January but did not get the call to the majors until mid-June. He joined the clubs bullpen as a multi-inning relief option and performed fairly well in the role early on, with a 3.69 ERA and 4.08 FIP in 31 2/3 innings of work through the end of July. He moved to a short relief role following the trade deadline, however, and hasnt acclimated to the new role well with a 7.06 ERA in 21 2/3 innings of work despite fairly solid peripheral numbers during that time, including a 4.14 FIP that was only a few points higher than his succe sful first half of the year and a strong 26.7% strikeout rate. Overall, the right-hander has pitched to a lackluster 5.06 ERA thats 18% worse than league average by measure of ERA+ despite a solid 4.11 FIP. Those lackluster results are more or le s par for the course relative to Kuhls career, as his career 4.98 ERA and 86 ERA+ arent too di similar from his production in 2024. Where theres room for optimism, however, is in his peripherals. That aforementioned 4.11 FIP is actually the best Kuhl has posted in a season since his rookie campaign back in 2016 with the Pirates, while this years 22.5% strikeout rate and 44.4% groundball rate are both career-bests for the veteran of 8 big league seasons. It seems as though the biggest culprit for Kuhls struggles this year is his inflated .340 BABIP allowed, a stat that perhaps isnt surprising given that the White Sox are the worst team in the majors by Defensive Runs Saved and second from the bottom by measure of Outs Above Average. Given those solid peripherals and his experience both starting and pitching in relief, it wouldnt be a shock to see Kuhl enter free agency this offseason as somewhat attractive depth option for pitching-needy clubs, particularly if hes once again willing to accept a minor league deal. In the meantime, Chicago will have one week to try and pa s Kuhl through waivers, though the right-hander would have the opportunity to reject an outright a signment in favor of free agency and hed still be slated to reach free agency this November even if he accepted the outright. Replacing Kuhl on the roster is Soroka, who was acquired from the Braves last offseason. Sorokas 72 1/3 innings of work this year are the most hes pitched in a season since 2019, when he finished second in NL Rookie of the Year voting and sixth in NL Cy Young award voting with an excellent 2.68 ERA and 3.45 FIP in 29 starts for Atlanta. Unfortunately, injuries have derailed the right-hander ever since, and his return to action this year left much to be desired as he posted a lackluster 5.23 ERA with a 5.41 FIP acro s 22 appearances, including nine starts. Sorokas numbers improved after he was moved out of the rotation, however, as he pitched to a 3.45 ERA with a 3.34 FIP in 28 2/3 relief innings thanks to an excellent 36.7% strikeout rate out of the bullpen. Those solid numbers in a relief role were cut short by a shoulder strain just before the All-Star break, but nonethele s offer reason for optimism as the righty heads to free agency for the first time in his career this winter. Buddy Hield Jersey