ATLANTA — The All-Star break is well in the rearview mirror.
The September stretch run for contenders and spoilers is still ahead.
But currently, teams are navigating the period commonly known as the “dog days.”
The Chicago White Sox roster is filled with rookies who are working their way through this phase of the season for the first time as big leaguers.
Manager Will Venable is monitoring several areas.
“How guys are moving out there, what they look like, checking in on them individually,” he said on Sunday in Kansas City, Mo. “We have a performance group that does a great job in kind of managing workloads and communicating with me directly on what certain guys might need.
“Just trying to do our best to stay in tune with guys and their energy levels and make any adjustments we need to with our pregame work, with giving guys a day, whatever it might be.”
Venable remembers the support he received from teammates his first couple of years going through this stage as a major-league player.
Chicago White Sox right fielder Mike Tauchman catches a fly ball against the Kansas City Royals during the first inning on Friday, Aug. 15, 2025, in Kansas City, Mo. (AP Photo/Charlie Riedel)
“You’re all in this together,” Venable said. “To have guys that you can lean on for advice, for energy, whatever you can get from the people around you is huge and helps you navigate tough times.
“Our group being close-knit like they are, our older guys will help these younger guys get through it and we’re all in it together.”
Sox outfielders Mike Tauchman, Andrew Benintendi and Michael A. Taylor are among those who have been there and done that.
“This part of the season is what you make it, right?” Tauchman told the Tribune. “At this point of the season, people have been playing, everybody’s probably dealing with something, right? Prioritizing rest, being in communication with the training staff, coaching staff, about being efficient with your workload on certain days. Knowing your body, things like that — they’re always important, maybe more so this last six weeks or so of the season.”
Tauchman, who is in his eighth season in the majors, noted the importance of establishing recovery habits early in a career.
“The faster you can learn how to work efficiently — everybody works hard, you want to work efficiently, too,” Tauchman said. “A lot in this game is experience and then learning from that experience is kind of the thing there. Experience is only good if you learn from it. Every year you try to get a little better about listening to your body, what works for you, what doesn’t work for you.”
Benintendi, who is in his 10th major-league season, told the Tribune the dog days are “definitely a thing.”
“You get to this point of the year, things start to linger, nagging things,” Benintendi said. “(And) it’s hot as hell outside.
“You’ve just got to keep going.”
He echoed Tauchman’s thoughts on taking care of the body.
Chicago White Sox’s Andrew Benintendi slides home to score on a single by Edgar Quero during the sixth inning against the Kansas City Royals on Sunday, Aug. 17, 2025, in Kansas City, Mo. (AP Photo/Charlie Riedel)
“Getting in the training room and doing what you have to do to feel the best you’re going to feel that day,” Benintendi said. “It’s not going to be 100% every day. The little things, too, when you’re young, you can kind of get away with a lot of things. The older you get, it’s a little tougher. You’ve got to get in there and get the work in.”
Taylor, who is in his 12th major-league season, said one of the challenges during this portion of the year is the heat. The Sox felt that over the weekend, with game-time temperatures above 90 degrees at the start of each contest against the Kansas City Royals at Kauffman Stadium.
“Over the years, I’ve learned that it is a marathon and you have to pace yourself,” Taylor told the Tribune. “It’s easy to be excited about the beginning of the year and opening day and kind of overdo things early on in the year. So, kind of understanding how long the season is and pacing yourself and your work, being as efficient as possible in getting ready for the games.”
Those steps can be helpful as clubs near the final chapters of the season.
“I think this is a really fun time of the year, too,” Tauchman said. “You’re either competing for a playoff spot, you have an opportunity to finish the season strong, you have the opportunity to play — I think we have the opportunity to play spoiler, we’ve been playing pretty good ball the second half.
“But yeah, the season is a grind. The last third, you’ve really got to power through.”
Sox place pitcher Owen White on the IL
The Sox placed pitcher Owen White on the 15-day injured list with a right hip impingement. He suffered the injury in the eighth inning of Monday’s 13-9 win against the Atlanta Braves at Truist Park. White has a 9.00 ERA in three relief appearances.
In Tuesday’s corresponding move, the Sox recalled pitcher Elvis Peguero from Triple-A Charlotte. The Sox claimed Peguero off waivers from the Milwaukee Brewers on Aug. 3. He served as the opener for the Sox on Aug. 11, allowing one earned run in 1 2/3 innings against the Detroit Tigers.
Originally Published: August 19, 2025 at 4:09 PM CDT