Chicago White Sox GM Chris Getz relays what Grant Taylor’s role will be in 2026

The Chicago White Sox have a plethora of young arms heading into next season. However, general manager Chris Getz said the goal will be to add more starting pitching depth to “navigate a full season” and to “protect” some of their young arms like left-handers Hagen Smith and Noah Schultz.

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Another young arm that will be “protected” but will be a critical piece of the White Sox pitching staff in 2026 is right-hander Grant Taylor, who is not “anticipated” to be a part of the White Sox starting rotation, according to Getz at the general managers’ meetings.

Chris Getz doesn’t “anticipate” Grant Taylor will start for the Chicago White Sox in 2026

“We don’t anticipate him taking starts next year,” Getz said. “Obviously we used him in opener roles. I think it is important for him to throw multiple innings, and that goes to many of our arms in the bullpen.

It’s more focused on the arsenal and the ability to have deeper outings rather than him grabbing starts next year,” Getz said.”

Debuting in relief in June, Taylor appeared in 36 games (two starts) and went 2-4 with a 4.91 ERA, striking out 54 batters in 36.2 innings, and recorded six saves. Taylor helped stabilize a bullpen that finished with the 18th-best ERA in baseball (4.16) and finished last in saves (25) and save opportunities (49).

Taylor will likely get the first chance to close out games if manager Will Venable decides to go with a primary closer. The White Sox have a solid foundation in their bullpen with right-handers Mike Vasil (2.50 ERA) and Steven Wilson (3.42 ERA), as other options for Venable to use.

Chris Getz provides positive injury updates on RHP Drew Thorpe and first baseman Tim Elko

Getz, while at the general managers’ meetings, also provided a positive update on right-hander Drew Thorpe’s progress and timeline for next season. Thorpe missed all of 2025 due to Tommy John surgery.

“We anticipate him pitching for us in the second half,” Getz said Wednesday to Lamond Pope of the Chicago Tribune. “We’re certainly excited about getting him back into the pitching mix.”

Getz also gave an update on first baseman Tim Elko, who had ACL surgery in October and whose timeline remains unclear, according to Getz.

“He’s had knee injuries in the past, so it was something that needed to happen,” Getz said. “We’re still learning the timetable on that, but he will lose a chunk of next season but should be back in the second half as well.”

Elko batted .134 with an OPS of .522 in 23 games with the White Sox. Elko could fill the White Sox’s need for a first baseman when he’s back healthy, but he’ll need to find the success he had in the minor leagues, hitting .292 with an OPS of .909 in 96 games in Triple-A.

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