Chicago White Sox Add Veteran Arm, Sign Austin Voth to Minor-League Deal
The Chicago White Sox continue to search for bullpen depth as they prepare for the 2026 season.
On Friday, the organization signed right-handed pitcher Austin Voth to a minor-league contract.
The 33-year-old will report to spring training as a non-roster invitee.
While the move may not command headlines, it represents another calculated attempt to stabilize an evolving pitching staff.
A Return from Japan
Voth arrives in Chicago after spending the 2025 season overseas with the Chiba Lotte Marines in Japan’s Nippon Professional Baseball league.
He made 22 starts and logged 125 innings.
He posted a 3.96 ERA while recording 92 strikeouts.
His strike-throwing remained reliable.
However, a 17.4 percent strikeout rate and limited ground-ball production underscored the challenges of his first season outside affiliated baseball.
Transitioning to NPB often demands adjustments in pitch sequencing and hitter approach.
Voth’s season reflected both adaptation and learning.
Draft Pedigree and Early Promise
Originally drafted by the Washington Nationals in the fifth round of the 2013 MLB Draft, Voth signed for $272,800.
He made an immediate impression in his professional debut.
Across 46â…“ innings in 11 starts that year, he posted a 1.75 ERA with 55 strikeouts.
His steady progression through Washington’s minor-league system included a standout 2016 campaign at Triple-A Syracuse, where he recorded a 3.15 ERA over 157 innings.
That performance positioned him for his MLB debut in 2018.
Major League Highs and Lows
Voth’s big-league career has been defined by fluctuation.
In 2018, he struggled in limited action with Washington, posting a 6.57 ERA across four games.
He rebounded in 2019, lowering his ERA to 3.30 over nine appearances.
The shortened 2020 season proved difficult, as he recorded a 6.34 ERA.
By 2021, he transitioned primarily into a bullpen role, finishing with a 5.34 ERA before being claimed by the Baltimore Orioles in 2022.
That move sparked one of the more productive stretches of his career.
With Baltimore, Voth made 17 starts and five relief appearances, compiling a 3.04 ERA across 83 innings.
In 2023, he returned largely to relief duties, logging a 4.94 ERA in 23 outings and spending time on the 60-day injured list.
A Heavy Workload in Seattle
Voth joined the Seattle Mariners in 2024.
He appeared in a career-high 68 games.
He posted a 3.69 ERA with 61 strikeouts and 18 walks.
For much of the season, he provided dependable middle-inning stability.
However, a difficult September in which he recorded a 9.95 ERA altered his trajectory.
Seattle ultimately chose not to tender him a contract.
That decision paved the way for his move to Japan.
Why Chicago Makes Sense
The White Sox bullpen remains one of the more inexperienced units in the American League.
Chicago has demonstrated willingness to explore undervalued arms.
Recent examples include pitchers returning from overseas assignments who reestablished themselves in MLB environments.
The organization hopes Voth can follow a similar path.
His experience as both a starter and reliever offers flexibility.
In spring training, he will likely compete for a long-relief role.
Should injuries arise, he possesses the stamina to spot-start.
Versatility enhances his appeal.
A Low-Risk Evaluation
Because the contract is a minor-league deal, the financial exposure remains minimal.
If Voth proves effective in camp, Chicago gains affordable depth.
If he struggles, the organization incurs limited downside.
That structure aligns with a broader rebuilding framework.
Teams in transitional phases often prioritize controllable upside over guaranteed expenditure.
Voth represents exactly that type of opportunity.
The Road Ahead
Spring training will determine his immediate fate.
He must demonstrate command consistency.
He must limit hard contact.
He must prove that his time in Japan refined rather than diminished his arsenal.
The White Sox are not guaranteeing him a roster spot.
They are granting him a chance.
In a bullpen searching for stability and innings, that opportunity carries significance.
If Austin Voth can recapture his 2022 form or replicate his early 2024 reliability, Chicago may quietly uncover a valuable piece for the 2026 campaign.
