White Sox 2025 All-Star could be back soon after latest milestone

The Chicago White Sox look like a completely different team in 2026 than they did just one year ago. Entering the All-Star break, they’re 50-45, tied for first place in the American League Central, and are sending three players to the Midsummer Classic: Munetaka Murakami, Tristan Peters, and Miguel Vargas.

The contrast to last season couldn’t be greater. At the same point in 2025, the White Sox were just 32-65, sitting in last place in the AL Central, with breakout rookie starter and Rule 5 Draft pick Shane Smith serving as the club’s lone All-Star.

That said, to begin the 2026 campaign, Smith got the nod as the teams Opening Day starter, but command issues and poor performance resulted in him being optioned to Triple-A. Then, in early May, he was placed on the injured list with a rotator cuff strain. Now halfway through July, he is back pitching again and seems to be nearing a return.

Chicago White Sox starting pitcher Shane Smith is one step closer to returning

Before landing on the injured list, Smith last appeared in a game on April 30. At that point, command was still an issue as through four minor league starts he had walked eight batters. After a two month absence between outings, he has returned looking sharp, both with the Winston-Salem Dash in High-A and Charlotte Knights in Triple-A.

Smith made two rehab appearances with High-A Winston-Salem on July 1 and July 7. As planned, he logged a combined 4.2 innings, allowing just two walks while recording six strikeouts, including a five-strikeout performance over 2.2 innings in his second outing.

He then returned to Triple-A on July 12, where he tossed 4.0 strong innings, walked one batter, and struck out five. He clearly has more building up to do in the pitch count area, but so far the results are promising that he has returned to All-Star form.

Shane Smith is fired up after a sharp start today. His first outing with the Knights since April 30th.

4 IP, 1 ER, 1 BB, & 5 K make up his final line.@KnightsBaseball #WhiteSox pic.twitter.com/OIy1W9soDA

— Kendall Smith (@SmithKendall__) July 12, 2026

If Smith is able to rejoin the White Sox this season, his upside could arguably slot him in as the club’s No. 2 or No. 3 starter behind Davis Martin. A healthy Smith returning to the form that earned him an All-Star selection would provide a significant boost to Chicago’s rotation as it pushes for a postseason berth.

Should the White Sox reach October, having Smith alongside Martin would give them a much stronger foundation for a playoff rotation and improve their chances of competing in a short series.

The post White Sox 2025 All-Star could be back soon after latest milestone appeared first on ChiCitySports.