The Major League Baseball trade deadline was on Aug. 3 and had some significance for this area’s only big league athlete.

Former Shepherd outfielder and National League Gold Glove winner Brenton Doyle was traded from the last-place Colorado Rockies to the American League Central’s reinvigorated Chicago White Sox, now leading the division by 3.5 games over the Detroit Tigers.

Doyle was signed by Colorado in 2019 after being drafted in the fourth round. He worked his way through Colorado’s minor league farm system, reaching the big leagues in 2023. His defensive prowess was recognized and rewarded with him winning Gold Gloves in both 2023 and 2024.

The 2026 season has been depleted for Doyle by injuries. He went on the disabled list on May 20 after diving for a fly ball and bruising an oblique muscle. After about a month of inactivity, he came off the disabled list but subsequently pulled a groin muscle and was shelved once more.

When deemed to be healthy enough, he joined Colorado’s Class AAA affiliated Albuquerque Isotopes to get ready for a return to Colorado’s roster for the remainder of the 2026 season. Then, on Aug. 3, the White Sox traded for Doyle, sending minor league prospects Mason Adams and Carlos Vielma to the Rockies.

The White Sox are one of baseball’s most remarkable Cinderella stories for 2026. Last season, Chicago lost at least 100 games for the third consecutive season. Chicago’s inglorious record for 2025 was 60-102. In 2024, the record was an all-time worst 41-121, and in 2023, the Sox went 61-101.

As of games played through Sunday, the White Sox had a 61-56 record and a 3 1/2-game lead on another refurbished team, the Detroit Tigers. Minnesota was four games back with a 58-61 record, and Cleveland also had a 58-61 record.

Chicago finishes 2026 schedule in late September against, of all teams, the Colorado Rockies, for three games at home in late September.

Since going to Chicago, Doyle has played in six games. Trying to take advantage of his speed and base stealing ability, he was batting leadoff. In 14 official at-bats, Doyle had four hits, including a double, and was hitting .286. He had already stolen two bases.

For his disjointed 2026 season, including what he did in Colorado, he has had 131 at-bats, 13 stolen bases and a .221 batting average. Doyle is under contract through the 2029 season, being paid $3.1 million a season.

The White Sox will not play in Baltimore, Washington or Pittsburgh for the remainder of the 2026 season. When September gets here, the White Sox have revealed no plans for their outfield or what Doyle’s role will be.

These are untested times for a team that has been all but dead in the three previous seasons.