Wes

Benjamin

Benjamin will take home $1.4 million in his new deal to remain in Korea for 2024. The 30-year-old southpaw last appeared in the big leagues back in 2021. He’s spent the last three seasons overseas in Korea.

Benjamin went overseas after he was released by the White Sox last May and went on to compile a 2.70 ERA, 1.02 WHIP and 77/24 K/BB ratio across 96 2/3 innings in 17 starts. He’ll take the guaranteed money rather than returning to the states and attempting to latch on elsewhere on a minor league deal.

Benjamin signed a minor league contract with the White Sox back in February after making 21 appearances (three starts) over the last two years with the Rangers. The 28-year-old lefty compiled a respectable 3.82 ERA, 1.30 WHIP and 32/12 K/BB ratio across 30 2/3 innings (seven starts) this season at Triple-A Charlotte.

The second round of White Sox’ cuts includes some notable names as they have 42 players left in camp this spring. Céspedes made some serious noise in the Cactus League and appears to be on the precipice of making an impact in the big leagues, possibly as soon as later this season.

Benjamin got the nod for the White Sox’ split-squad Cactus League opener against the Cubs and managed to get through two frames. He finished with one strikeout and also handed out one free pass. The 28-year-old lefty is in camp as a non-roster invitee on a minor-league contract and will likely open the 2022 season at Triple-A Charlotte as organizational starting pitching depth.

Benjamin elected free agency after being jettisoned from the Rangers’ 40-man roster last October. The 28-year-old lefty posted an underwhelming 6.80 ERA, 1.71 WHIP and 40/24 K/BB ratio across 45 innings (21 appearances, three starts) at the major-league level over the last two seasons. He’ll provide the White Sox with some versatile organizational pitching depth this season.

Benjamin was jettisoned from the Rangers’ 40-man roster on Sunday and passed through waivers unclaimed. The 28-year-old southpaw allowed 23 runs (22 earned) on 29 hits with a 19/17 K/BB ratio across 22 2/3 innings (13 appearances, two starts) this season.

Benjamin has surrendered 23 runs -- 22 earned -- in 22 2/3 innings this season for an ERA of 8.74.

Oh goodness, oh dear. That Benjamin was not saddled with a loss in this one was only due to a late Rangers rally. His major issue in the contest was the long ball, with Starling Marte and Matt Olson taking the 28-year-old southpaw deep for solo shots in the first and third innings. Mark Canha added the sour cherry on top of the melting sundae with a two-run homer off Benjamin in the fourth inning. Benjamin struck out four and walked two in the short outing. On the season, now, he holds a disastrous 8.59 ERA and 2.05 WHIP in 12 appearances (two starts) at the big league level. The vast majority of Benjamin’s reps have come out of the pen and there is no guarantee that he draws another turn through the rotation, especially after Saturday’s tepid performance.

Wes Benjamin will make an emergency spot start on Saturday afternoon in Allard’s place. It doesn’t appear to be a COVID-19 related illness at the moment, and there should be an update on his status later on Saturday evening.