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White Sox Name Shane Smith Opening Day Starter to Face Brewers

The 2025 All-Star earned the assignment after arriving as the No. 1 Rule 5 pick from Milwaukee.

Overview

  • Manager Will Venable informed Smith on Sunday at Camelback Ranch in a meeting that included GM Chris Getz and pitching coaches.
  • Chicago opens the season March 26 at American Family Field, where Smith will make his first Milwaukee appearance as a White Sox pitcher.
  • Smith was selected from the Brewers with the top pick of the 2024 Rule 5 Draft after Milwaukee did not add him to its 40-man roster.
  • He broke out as a rookie in 2025, making the All-Star team and finishing 7-8 with a 3.81 ERA and 145 strikeouts in 146 1/3 innings over 29 starts.
  • Reporting credits a newly developed changeup with aiding his rise, and Venable said the rest of the rotation will be announced later.