The White Sox recalled right-hander Dane Dunning from their Schaumburg training facility in advance of his major league debut Wednesday night. Dunning will oppose Tigers top pitching prospect Casey Mize, who will also make his debut at Guaranteed Rate Field.
Dunning will be caught by Zack Collins, making his first start behind the plate. The Sox have a day game Thursday after the night game with James McCann likely catching Lucas Giolito, and Yasmani Grandal is out with a sore back.
“It’s going to be exciting catching a guy making his major league debut in front of my eyes,” Collins said.
The Sox also reinstated outfielder Adam Engel from the injured list. Engel will start in center field in place of standout rookie Luis Robert, who left Tuesday’s game with a sore hand after diving for a fly ball. Robert, batting .276/.330/.517 with five homers, 13 homers and four stolen bases, has started all but one game this season.
“He’s day to day,” manager Rick Renteria said after the game Tuesday. “It’s his hand. Felt a little sore after the dive. All indications are it’s nothing of real concern. Hopefully it’s just maybe a day. He might wake up [Wednesday] and feel fantastic. So it’s no big deal.”
To make room for Dunning and Engel, infielder Cheslor Cuthbert was designated for assignment and right-hander José Ruiz was assigned to Schaumburg.
The Sox also said third baseman Jake Burger, a 2017 first-round draft choice who most recently was playing in the CarShield collegiate summer league as he tries to come back from two ruptured Achilles injuries, has been assigned to Schaumburg.
Dunning, 25, entered the season rated by MLB Pipeline as the No. 6 prospect in the Sox organization. He has posted a 17-13 record and 2.74 ERA with 300 strikeouts in 49 career starts over three minor-league seasons (20016-18). Dunning is coming off Tommy John surgery. Dunning will wear jersey No. 51.
Engel was on the COVID injured list for precautionary reasons. He had no symptoms but was isolated after he possibly was in contact with someone who was infected. He was out two days.
