Injury Woes: White Sox’ Thorpe Out for Season, Drury Fractures Thumb

GLENDALE, Ariz. — The Chicago White Sox are facing a difficult start to their 2025 season as injuries have plagued key players ahead of their opener. Right-handed pitcher Drew Thorpe will undergo Tommy John surgery on his right elbow and will miss the entire season, while infielder Brandon Drury has fractured his left thumb during practice.

The team announced Thorpe’s impending surgery on Saturday, following the pitcher experiencing discomfort in his elbow during a minor league spring training game on March 20. He had previously faced challenges after undergoing surgery last September to address a bone spur in the same elbow. Thorpe had shown promise, beginning the 2024 season with a record of 7-1 and a 1.35 ERA at Double-A Birmingham before making his major league debut in June.

“It feels like I worked my ass off to get back,” Thorpe said. “So it’s kind of a gut punch. But now it’s just another bump in the road.”

On the same day, the White Sox revealed that Drury, who had been performing well in spring training with a batting average of .410, suffered a thumb fracture during a defensive drill. Drury is set to follow up with Dr. Donald Sheridan on Monday to determine his recovery timeline.

“Brandon has looked amazing,” said manager Will Venable about Drury’s performance. “It was supposed to be a game-time decision about his roster spot, but with this setback, we now have to evaluate where we go from here.”

Drury, who signed a minor league contract with the White Sox in February, has been an asset during spring training, with three home runs and 11 RBIs. Before the injury, he was in contention for a starting position on Opening Day.

“It’s very disappointing for us as a team,” added Venable. “He was really in the mix for at-bats.”

Thorpe’s surgery will cause him to miss not only the 2025 season but also part of the following year, as recovery typically takes 12 to 14 months. This leaves the White Sox to adjust their starting rotation as they prepare for the season. With Thorpe and other pitchers like Ky Bush also sidelined, the team is looking at depth options in the minor leagues, including free-agent addition Bryse Wilson which might be utilized as a sixth starter if needed.

Despite the advanced injuries, fans and team members are hoping to rally together for the opener in four days against the Kansas City Royals. “It’s part of the game, and we’re just going to deal with it the best we can,” Venable concluded.