This morning, the White Sox issued an unusual Chris Getz statement to address a series of unusual Chris Getz statements, in which he repeatedly added “switch-hitter” to Luisangel Acuña’s CV even though the recent White Sox acquisition merely bats right-handed.

Getz, who had traveled back to Chicago and thus wasn’t able to make such a clarification in person at Camelback Ranch, had made the erroneous comment at least four different times, as Sam Phalen captured effectively in this video he posted Wednesday:

Great job by many of you flagging this.

Here are FOUR different times this offseason where #WhiteSox GM Chris Getz has referred to Luisangel Acuña as a switch hitter.

Acuña is, in fact, NOT a switch hitter.

Not great. Four times isn’t a misspeak. pic.twitter.com/yYYsHBH49w

— Sam Phalen (@Sam_Phalen) February 11, 2026

The video gained enough traction for it to warrant an official response, and Getz opted for gentle humor rather than defensiveness:

“So I probably have been getting carried away describing his versatility. He can play every position on the field. Why does it have to stop there? I called Luisangel and told him that even though he’s just right-handed, we still love him.”

It feels worth noting that when Getz talked to reporters about Acuña after the trade was announced back on Jan. 21, he made no reference to switch-hitting over the course of multiple lengthy explanations for why the White Sox liked Acuña.

Somehow, this …

But to be able to bring in a young, exciting player that plays all over the diamond, a strong defender, an elite defender, elite baserunner, can make contact. Very strong instincts for the game. 

Getz on Jan. 21

… evolved into this:

He has a lot of potential. He can play all over the diamond. He’s a strong defender, baserunner, switch-hitter. He can do a lot of different things to help you win.

Getz on Feb. 9

Considering Kenny Williams traded for a player with the wrong name at the start of his tenure, you can’t entirely dismiss the idea that Getz was mistaken at the time of the transaction. However, since we just had a conversation about Getz’s tendency to say “can’t understate” instead of “can’t overstate,” I can buy the idea that Getz reflexively added “switch-hitter” as an indicator of versatility, as Leury García and Brooks Baldwin both fit that description in recent years, and then it became embedded in the fibers of his vernacular.

In other words, he literally could not understate the number of sides Acuña hit from, and he’s getting raked over the coals for it.

Drew Thorpe deals with another setback

As James wrote on Wednesday, Mason Adams, Ky Bush and Prelander Berroa all threw a bullpen, which was notable since every pitcher is recovering from their Tommy John surgery from the past spring. It also made it noticeable that Drew Thorpe was not among those throwing, and the intrigue compounded when the White Sox didn’t have an explanation at the ready.

Thorpe ended up delivering that status update himself, saying that his first appearance on a mound has been delayed by three weeks because he’s dealing with flexor tendinitis.

“I haven’t gotten off the mound,” Thorpe said. “I got out to 120-ish (feet), was feeling it a little bit, so went and saw (Dr. Keith) Meister last week. Said the ligament looks good, everything looks good in there. Dealing with some flexor stuff so slowing it down a little bit. We’ll see how the next couple of weeks go.”

Thorpe said he was more frustrated by the delay than concerned.

“I don’t think it’s worry. I think it’s just every surgery is a little bit different. You can’t really look at other guys and say ‘Why am I not in that position?’ The body heals differently. I don’t think it’s worry. Just a slower pace, which sucks, but at the end of the day I would rather slow it down and be fully ready to go when I’m ready instead of trying to push through it and have some problems once we get closer off the mound.”

But Thorpe has undergone two surgeries since he last appeared in a major league game at the end of July in 2024. He had surgery to address a bone spur that September, but he dealt with setbacks over the course of the ensuing offseason, and then his UCL blew out during a spring training minor league rehab appearance last March, which necessitated the Tommy John surgery from which he’s currently attempting to recover. Considering Jairo Iriarte’s stock has dropped enough that he can clear waivers after a DFA and Samuel Zavala has spent two full seasons in Winston-Salem, it looks like it’s entirely on Thorpe to salvage the Dylan Cease trade, which is pretty difficult to do when limited to flat ground.

White Sox spring training broadcast schedule announced

While you might not be able to see Thorpe initially, you’ll be able to see other members of the 2026 White Sox within a fortnight, as the team announced its spring training broadcast schedule.

The White Sox will be airing nine Cactus League games on CHSN, along with 10 radio broadcasts on ESPN Chicago, three of which will be accompanied by a live stream of the game on whitesox.com.

Friday, February 20 at Cubs: ESPN ChicagoSaturday, February 21 vs. Athletics: CHSN and ESPN ChicagoSunday, February 22 vs. Milwaukee: CHSNFriday, February 27 vs. Texas: ESPN Chicago and whitesox.comSaturday, February 28 at Cleveland: CHSN (Guardians Broadcast)Sunday, March 1 at Cubs: ESPN ChicagoMonday, March 2 vs. San Francisco: ESPN Chicago and whitesox.comSaturday, March 7 at Seattle: CHSN (Mariners Broadcast) and ESPN ChicagoSunday, March 8 vs. Kansas City: ESPN Chicago and whitesox.comFriday, March 13 vs. Cubs: CHSN and ESPN ChicagoSaturday, March 14 vs. Dodgers: CHSN and ESPN ChicagoThursday, March 19 at San Diego: CHSN (Padres Broadcast)Thursday, March 19 vs. Arizona: ESPN ChicagoSaturday, March 21 vs. Dodgers (Spring Breakout Game): CHSNSunday, March 22 vs. Seattle: CHSN

While Feb. 21 is the first game listed from the White Sox’s side, those who have MLB.tv or Marquee Sports Network will be able to see the White Sox play the Cubs in the Cactus League opener before then. As always, I’ll compile a comprehensive spring training viewing schedule with all opponent broadcasts and MLB.tv/MLB Network airings accounted for as we approach the opening weekend.