Corey Knebel

White Sox manager Pedro Grifol said Corey Knebel is a little behind schedule.

Fantasy Impact

"(Knebel) is a little behind. We’re just going to take it easy with him," Grifol said. "He feels really, really good. We just can’t ramp him up. He’s on a good schedule." He landed a minor league deal with the White Sox earlier in February. Grifol wouldn't commit to his status for Opening Day. "Maybe, maybe not. It will be right around there. If we err on the side of caution might be a week or two after. Maybe right on time."

The Chicago White Sox have signed reliever Corey Knebel to a minor-league deal.

Fantasy Impact

The deal comes along with an invite to MLB spring training. Knebel has long been productive when healthy but he missed the 2019 season due to Tommy John surgery while shoulder surgery cost him all of the 2023 season. Nonetheless, he looks like a nice flier considering his 3.26 ERA and 31.7% K% along with 72 saves across 312 big-league appearances.

Corey Knebel walked one and struck out one in a scoreless ninth inning on Saturday against the Cardinals to earn his 12th save of the season.

Fantasy Impact

Knebel has pitched relatively well after being demoted from the closer's role, but hasn't often been used in the ninth inning. Seranthony Dominguez pitched in each of the last two games, so was likely unavailable on Saturday. Nevertheless, the fact that Knebel was called upon and succeeded is a huge step in the right direction, and he could see further save chances down the road. But it's unlikely that he'll take back the role to himself in the near term.

Corey Knebel allowed two runs on two hits and three walks over 1 1/3 innings on Sunday against the Nationals.

Fantasy Impact

Knebel entered the game in the fourth inning and walked in a run with the bases loaded before giving up a two-run home run in the fifth. As he tries to work his way back into the closer's role, he needs to put together several quality outings, so Sunday was obviously a step back. Although one of his walks was intentional, he now has a 6..26 BB/9 rate, a number that no closer can survive with. Hold Knebel for a bit longer if possible, but his return to the closer's role is far from imminent.

Corey Knebel pitched a perfect seventh inning in the second game of Friday's doubleheader against the Nationals with two strikeouts.

Fantasy Impact

As promised, Knebel was used in a lower-leverage situation, but this was about as good as managers could have hoped for. Philadelphia is using a committee right now without Knebel being the man in the ninth inning, but they're clearly a better team when he's right and pitching in the late innings. Expect Rob Thomson to continue to use Knebel early in the game, but with a few more promising appearances, he may take back the ninth inning role faster than expected.