The Chicago White Sox are in a position where they need to figure out who is going to be remaining on the roster ahead of 2026 Opening Day. As we get closer to next week’s first game in Milwaukee, the front office has some decisions they need to make about the 40-man roster. The team has made a decision about one of the players who were borderline for the Opening Day roster. Let’s take a closer look at who it is and what Chicago decided.
The Chicago White Sox are returning Alexander Alberto to the Tampa Bay Rays
Feb 24, 2026; Peoria, Arizona, USA; Chicago White Sox pitcher Alexander Alberto (62) pitches during the fifth inning in Peoria, Arizona. Mandatory Credit: Arianna Grainey-Imagn Images
The White Sox have been making some roster decisions in the winding days of Spring Training. One of the decisions they needed to make was on right-handed pitcher Alexander Alberto. The team selected him in the Rule 5 Draft from the Tampa Bay Rays. However, MLB’s Scott Merkin is reporting the team has decided to return him to Tampa Bay.
As part of the Rule 5 Draft, the White Sox needed Alberto on their 26-man roster to keep him. As a result, Alberto has been placed on waivers for any team to acquire. If he were to clear waivers, Alberto would return to the Rays and could be placed in the minors or majors.
Alberto did not look sharp in his Spring Training outings as he pitched seven times out of the bullpen. He finished 0-1 with 10 runs (eight earned) allowed in 6.2 innings. The White Sox wouldn’t place him on their MLB roster and now have 39 players on their 40-man roster. As a result, they can elevate another prospect to that status or return a player from the 60-day Injured List before the season starts.
It will be intriguing to see what other roster decisions general manager Chris Getz makes ahead of Opening Day.
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