Chicago White Sox quickly end Ervin Santana experiment

Even though the Ervin Santana Era had only just begun for the Chicago White Sox, it is already over.

When the Chicago White Sox signed Ervin Santana, it was a worthwhile gamble. He had been a dependable starter for much of his career, a solid innings eater that could add stability to a younger rotation. Even though his 2018 season had been lost due to injury, his track record led one to believe that he could recapture his former magic.

Santana had been able to make three starts for the White Sox, but that was all they needed to see. On Friday, he was designated for assignment, his roster spot taken by Eloy Jimenez, who was reinstated from the bereavement list.

Although Santana made only three starts for Chicago, the organization had determined they saw more than enough. In his 13.1 innings, he allowed 14 runs on 19 hits and six walks, striking out only five batters. On the heels of his disastrous 2018 campaign, which had been ruined by surgery to repair a tendon in his pitching hand, there was no reason for the White Sox to give him any further chances.

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For a five year span prior to that surgery, Santana had been one of the more dependable arms in the game. From 2013 through 2017, Santana posted a 53-44 record, with a 3.52 ERA and a 1.207 WHiP. In his 907.2 innings, Santana struck out 738 batters while issuing only 264 walks. Even in that run of success, he had setbacks, notably serving an 80 game suspension for PEDs in 2015.

However, Santana has not had that same success in the past two seasons. Over those eight outings spanning a total of 38 innings, he has posted an 8.53 ERA and a 1.711 WHiP, striking out 21 batters and issuing 15 walks. Even more concerning than his decreased strikeout rate was his home run rate, as Santana has given up 15 homers in those last 38 innings.

At this point, it may be fair to wonder what, if anything, Santana has left. He is already 36 years old, and although he was an All Star in 2017, that seems to be in the distant past. Nonetheless, his solid track record from 2013 through 2017 may be enough for another team to give Santana a look. Given the status of pitching around the game, it is possible that he finds a new employer relatively soon.

The Chicago White Sox have seen enough from Ervin Santana and have designated him for assignment. Chances are, this is not yet the end of the line.