Chicago White Sox send opening-day starter to Triple A

The Chicago White Sox optioned opening-day starter Shane Smith to Triple-A Charlotte, the team announced before Wednesday’s game against the Baltimore Orioles.

Command issues popped up again for Smith in Tuesday’s start against the Orioles, where he walked five and hit a batter while allowing one hit and matching a career-high with eight strikeouts over 3 2/3 scoreless innings.

Smith is 0-2 with a 10.80 ERA in three starts. He’s allowed 10 earned runs in 8 1/3 innings with nine walks and 11 strikeouts.

Smith earned All-Star honors in 2025, going 7-8 with a 3.81 ERA in 29 starts after being selected in the Rule 5 draft.

He struggled in the 2026 season opener, allowing three earned runs in 1 2/3 innings against the Brewers in Milwaukee. Smith surrendered seven earned runs on eight hits in three innings on April 1 against the Marlins in Miami.

The Sox and Smith have been making changes to his delivery, with the right-hander telling the Tribune on Monday: “Obviously, I need to make adjustments. The way I’ve been throwing the ball is not good enough. I’m just trying to make those adjustments and make sure I can go out (Tuesday) and feel confident in my ability to throw the ball.”

After Tuesday’s game, Smith told reporters: “It’s tough to do, make those adjustments and you get in a game and you are trying to, where are your priorities. I think I did some well. On some others, I didn’t do as well. Definitely something I want to continue doing and make sure this week is a good week.”

The work will continue in Charlotte.

In corresponding moves, the Sox selected the contract of left-handed Tyler Schweitzer from Charlotte and transferred outfielder/infielder Brooks Baldwin (right elbow surgery) to the 60-day injured list.

Schweitzer, 25, has a 1.80 ERA in two relief appearances with Charlotte this season, allowing one earned run on five hits with no walks and four strikeouts in five innings. He is 22-15 with a 4.13 ERA and 342 strikeouts in 344 innings during 77 games (57 starts) over five minor-league seasons in the Sox organization.