White Sox Reliever Receives Tough Break After Returning From Surgery

Matt Foster waited nearly two years to pitch in the big leagues again. When he finally returned to the mound on August 16 in Houston he took advantage of his opportunity. 

White Sox interim manager Grady Sizemore called upon Foster to protect a 5-3 lead in the eighth inning. Foster responded by firing a perfect inning, highlighted by striking out Astros catcher Victor Caratini on a nasty 77 mph curveball. Foster was credited with a hold. But three days later he found himself packing up his locker after being sent back down to Triple-A Charlotte after the White Sox claimed Enyel De Los Santos on waivers from the Yankees.  

It had been a long road back to the show for the 29-year-old right-hander. Foster opened the 2023 season on the 15-day IL with a right flexor strain and was eventually moved to the 60-day IL to undergo season-ending Tommy John surgery. 

It was a tough break for the former 20th-round pick, who had established himself as a serviceable reliever for the White Sox during his first three seasons in the show. During his 2020 rookie campaign, Foster posted a 2.20 ERA in 28.2 innings and was tied for first amongst American League relievers with six wins. He struck out a career-high 28.4% of opponents but did have some luck on his side with a 4.48 expected ERA. Things leveled out the following season when his ERA ballooned up to 5.77 in 2021.

Foster rebounded in 2022 lowering his ERA to 4.20 in a career high 45 innings of work across 48 appearances. Of those 48 appearances, 12 came on zero days rest. Foster thrived on the quick turnarounds recording a 1.59 ERA when pitching on no rest.

After not throwing an inning in 2023, he spent the first half of the season slowly building his arm back up. He began a rehab stint in June and tossed 14/23 innings split between the White Sox Arizona Complex League team and Triple-A Charlotte. He posted a 2.45 ERA with a 30.8% strikeout rate and a 7.7% walk rate during that small sample size which was enough for the White Sox to return him to the major league bullpen. 

Now Foster finds himself back in the minors after falling victim to a roster crunch. Sizemore told reporters that Foster will be the first reliever called up when a spot in the bullpen opens up.