What Chicago White Sox players had to say about Tuesday’s roster upheaval

Chicago White Sox: Analyzing a roster-shifting move

There were also roster moves made that will impact the White Sox in the bullpen as well, including the call-up of Alexander Colomé (making his White Sox roster debut after spending the 2022 season with the Colorado Rockies) and the DFA of southpaw Jake Diekman. Acquired at last season’s trade deadline from the Boston Red Sox, Diekman had struggled during his time in Chicago, posting a 7.04 ERA/5.43 FIP/1.989 WHIP in 30.2 innings over 39 games.

Described in the White Sox clubhouse as a leader in the bullpen, Grifol knows that the Diekman DFA is a tough decision from a personal standpoint, but will give the White Sox other relief options from a personnel standpoint.

“He wasn’t only just a leader. He’s a good guy. He’s a good person and he’s a good teammate,” Grifol said. “He takes the ball when he’s tired. He takes the ball when he’s not. He takes the ball when he’s had four or five days off. He never complains. That’s one of the things that’s really hard when you have to make a move like this. That phone call is really hard because you’re telling a guy that we’re moving on and who is a good teammate and a talented player. It’s just not happening (for Diekman) right now.”

Grifol said he believed the 36-year-old Diekman would come back and be on an MLB mound again soon.

“He’s going to correct some things in his delivery and his mechanics and he’s going to find himself in another place, doing what he does,” Grifol said. “He’s had a really good career and he has some left in the tank as well.”