Chicago White Sox sign left-hander to 1-year deal
The Chicago White Sox continued to stand out as left-handed pitchers this offseason, signing Sean Newcomb to a one-year contract worth $4.5 million on Tuesday.
Newcomb, 32, went 2-5 with a 2.73 ERA, two saves, four strikeouts and 91 strikeouts in 48 combined appearances (five starts) for the Boston Red Sox and the Athletics in 2025.
Newcomb ranked fifth in the majors among left-handed relievers in ERA (2.19) and tied for seventh in innings pitched (70). He was dealt to the A’s on May 27, and his 1.75 ERA after May 29 was seventh best among major league relievers with at least 45 innings pitched.
He is 30-30 with a 4.20 ERA, four saves, 25 strikeouts and 529 strikeouts in 223 outings (65 starts) over nine major league seasons with the Atlanta Braves (2017-22), Chicago Cubs (2022), A’s (2023-24, 2025) and Red Sox (2025).
His 92 1/3 innings in 2025 were the third-most of his career. He pitched 164 innings in 2018 while making 30 starts (31 total appearances) with the Braves. And he went 100 innings in 19 starts with the Braves during his rookie season in 2017.
Newcomb worked largely in a relief role in 2019 and appeared in a career-high 55 games (four starts). His first five outings in 2025 with the Red Sox were starts before moving to the bullpen.
Newcomb’s signing comes two weeks after the White Sox and left-handed starter Anthony Kay officially agreed to terms on a two-year, $12 million deal. Kay, who has five years of major league experience, spent the past two seasons with the Yokohama BayStars in Nippon Professional Baseball’s Japan Central League.
In November, the White Sox acquired left-handed pitcher Chris Murphy in a trade with the Red Sox. Although Murphy has made 23 relief appearances during three stints with the Red Sox in 2025, he has experience in the minors as a starter.
To make room for Newcomb on the 40-man roster, the White Sox designated left-handed pitcher Ryan Rolison for assignment. The Sox claimed Rolison, 28, off waivers from the Braves on December 12. He made his major league debut with the Colorado Rockies in 2025, going 1–0 with a 7.02 ERA and 25 strikeouts in 31 appearances (one start) over four stints.
