The Chicago White Sox added some veteran help ahead of Tuesday’s playoff roster eligibility deadline.
According to ESPN’s Jeff Passan, the White Sox will acquire outfielder Tommy Pham from the Philadelphia Phillies, and he will join the team when rosters expand on Tuesday.
Chicago also acquired outfielder Jake Cave from the Tampa Bay Rays for cash, per the Tampa Bay Times‘ Marc Topkin.
A longtime veteran who was drafted in 2006 before making his major-league debut in 2014, Pham started the 2026 campaign with the New York Mets after signing a minor-league contract in March. He was called up to the active roster the following month, but he went 0-for-13 with seven strikeouts in nine appearances before being designated for assignment and electing for free agency.
Pham then signed a minor-league deal with the Baltimore Orioles in May, but he never made it to the active roster before exercising the opt-out clause in his contract in June. He signed a minor-league contract with the Phillies later in the month. However, Philadelphia’s talented outfield rotation left no room for the 38-year-old on the active roster.
After three straight years with less than 65 wins, the White Sox are entrenched atop the AL Central with a 72-64 record. With the team on the verge of its first playoff appearance since 2021, Chicago chose to take a chance on an experienced veteran as the stretch run of the regular season approaches.
The White Sox will open a four-game series against the Houston Astros (69-68) on Monday night.
