Overview
- The White Sox manager made a second mound visit in the first inning on Friday, which under MLB rule 5.10(l) required starter Noah Schultz to be removed after facing five batters.
- MLB rule 5.10(l) allows one coach visit per pitcher per inning and mandates a pitching change on a second visit unless the visit is for injury or equipment.
- Reliever David Sandlin, called up from Triple‑A Charlotte, replaced Schultz and provided 5 1/3 innings of long relief but was charged with six runs in an 8-2 loss to the Guardians.
- Chicago optioned Schultz and Sandlin back to Triple‑A and promoted prospects Hagen Smith and Tanner McDougal to replenish the bullpen after a 13-inning game the night before had already depleted the staff.
- The gaffe has renewed scrutiny of Will Venable’s in-game execution even as the Sox, sitting atop the AL Central race, responded with a win the next day and face questions about bullpen depth going forward.