Chicago White Sox pitchers again posted short outings, extending a troubling pattern as a 3-1 loss to Cleveland Guardians deepened their post-break skid to six games. In the last 11 games, Sox starters have logged five innings just five times and only once reached deeper than five in this span, underscoring a rotation that’s forcing the bullpen to shoulder a heavy load. The relievers answered with a 48 1/3-inning, 2.03 ERA stretch, offering a silver lining as the team ponders innings management for its young arms.

Manager Will Venable emphasized the goal of getting starters to go longer, but the bullpen has carried the weight all year. Perez’s rehab starts with Birmingham and Charlotte signal a longer road back, while the White Sox celebrated Bill Veeck Night with throwback promotions—shorts during batting practice, a 50-foot hot dog, and a midgame wedding officiated by Ron Kittle—keeping the mood light amid the grind.

Overall, Chicago is navigating a tough stretch with relief depth and careful innings planning. If the rotation can stretch out even a little, the bullpen can stay a stabilizing force as the club tries to rebound after the break, balancing wins with development for its younger pitchers.