White Sox Clear Roster Spot for Veteran Reliever Lucas Sims, Designate Jedixson Páez for Assignment

In a move to bolster their bullpen, the Chicago White Sox announced on Wednesday that they have designated right-hander Jedixson Páez for assignment. This transaction clears a spot on the active roster for veteran reliever Lucas Sims, whose contract has been selected from Triple-A Charlotte. Páez, a 22-year-old Rule 5 Draft pick from the Boston Red Sox organization, had struggled in his limited time with the White Sox.

Páez appeared in just three games for the White Sox, yielding six runs on four hits, including two home runs, and three walks without recording a strikeout in three innings. His performance was not entirely unexpected, given that he had never pitched above the High-A level before being selected by the White Sox in December's Rule 5 Draft. During spring training, Páez was also roughed up, allowing eight earned runs in 11 1/3 innings.

Despite his lack of experience at higher levels, the White Sox were intrigued by Páez's potential. He has demonstrated plus command in the minors and draws average or better grades for both his changeup and slider. Páez's fastball velocity, which sits between 91-92 mph, is below average, but he has posted impressive numbers up through High-A when healthy. A partial calf tear that sidelined him for four months last year likely would have led to significant time at Double-A had he been healthy.

With Páez now designated for assignment, he will be placed on waivers and made available to the 28 other Major League Baseball teams, excluding the White Sox and Red Sox. If another club claims him, Páez will have to be added directly to their active roster, with the Rule 5 restrictions transferring over to the new team. This means he would not be eligible to be optioned to the minors at any point. If Páez passes through waivers unclaimed, the White Sox will have to offer him back to the Red Sox for a nominal sum of $50,000, and Boston could assign him directly to a minor league affiliate without needing to add him to their 40-man roster.

The addition of Lucas Sims to the active roster brings a veteran presence to the White Sox bullpen. The 31-year-old signed a minor league deal over the winter and had a strong spring, tossing six shutout innings with three hits, three walks, and eight strikeouts. Sims has nine partial major league seasons under his belt, with his most notable stint coming with the Cincinnati Reds, where he pitched to a combined 3.93 ERA in 183 1/3 innings from 2019-2023. During that time, Sims struck out 31.9% of his opponents but struggled with walks, issuing free passes at a 12.2% clip.

Sims's career has been marked by periods of effectiveness as a middle relief and setup arm, but also struggles with command. In 2023 and 2024, he collected 39 holds and four saves, but a stint with the Washington Nationals in 2025 saw his command issues worsen significantly, leading to his release. The White Sox are likely hoping that Sims can regain his form and provide stability to their bullpen.

The move to designate Páez for assignment and add Sims to the roster reflects the White Sox's ongoing effort to find the right mix in their bullpen. As the season progresses, the team will continue to evaluate their relief corps, making adjustments as needed to ensure they have the best possible chance to compete in the American League Central.