The Chicago White Sox have continued to reduce the size of their spring training roster, making another round of cuts as they move closer to finalizing their group for the upcoming season. In their latest announcement, the organization confirmed that four players—left-handed pitcher Ryan Borucki, first baseman and outfielder LaMonte Wade Jr., and right-handed pitchers Austin Voth and Lucas Sims—have all been released.
Each of these players had originally joined the club on minor league contracts that included invitations to big league spring training, giving them an opportunity to compete for a spot on the major league roster. With their releases now official, all four players re-enter the open market and are free to negotiate and sign with any team interested in their services.
For Borucki, this decision comes despite a lengthy track record at the major league level. The veteran southpaw, who will turn 32 later this month, has appeared in parts of eight consecutive big league seasons, demonstrating durability and persistence throughout his career. Over that span, he has compiled a 4.28 earned run average, which places him in a roughly average tier among pitchers. His underlying metrics offer a more detailed picture of his performance.
Borucki has posted a strikeout rate of 19.7 percent, which falls slightly below league norms, suggesting that he has not been a dominant swing-and-miss arm. At the same time, his walk rate sits at 8.9 percent, a figure that hovers just above average, indicating occasional struggles with command but not to an alarming degree.
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One of Borucki’s most notable strengths lies in his ability to generate ground balls. With a career ground-ball rate of 48.3 percent, he has consistently shown an aptitude for keeping the ball on the ground, which can be especially valuable in limiting extra-base hits and home runs. That skill has helped him remain a viable option for teams in need of bullpen depth or situational left-handed pitching.
Looking back at his most recent major league action, Borucki split time between two organizations during the 2025 campaign, logging a total of 35 innings. During that stretch, he recorded a 4.63 ERA, a mark that can be described as serviceable but not particularly impressive. It was a season that reflected his overall career profile—capable of contributing but not necessarily standing out as a high-impact arm.
However, his performance during the current spring training period suggested that he might still have something left to offer. In his limited opportunities with the White Sox, Borucki delivered an excellent showing, throwing six scoreless innings. He also demonstrated strong command and effectiveness, striking out eight batters while issuing just one walk.
That 8-to-1 strikeout-to-walk ratio highlighted a level of sharpness that could have made him an intriguing option for a bullpen role. Despite those encouraging results, the team ultimately opted to move in a different direction, leaving Borucki to seek another opportunity elsewhere.
LaMonte Wade Jr., another veteran in this group, also finds himself back on the free agent market after an impressive spring performance. Like Borucki, Wade is 32 years old and has accumulated several seasons of experience in the majors. Over the course of seven big league campaigns, he has carved out a role primarily as a corner player, spending most of his time at first base while also seeing action in the outfield.
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During this spring training, Wade put together a strong offensive showing that stood out among his peers. In 49 plate appearances, he posted a .289 batting average, complemented by a .429 on-base percentage and a .605 slugging percentage. Those numbers reflect a well-rounded offensive approach, combining patience, power, and the ability to get on base at a high rate.
He also contributed in multiple facets of the game, hitting three home runs, stealing two bases, drawing nine walks, and striking out 10 times. Overall, his spring performance suggested a player who was seeing the ball well and making consistent, impactful contact.
Despite that recent success, Wade’s overall body of work at the major league level presents a more mixed picture. Over his career, he owns a .236 batting average, a .341 on-base percentage, and a .390 slugging percentage. These figures point to a player with solid on-base skills but somewhat limited power production. While he has shown flashes of offensive value at times, he has generally settled into a role as a complementary piece rather than a cornerstone player.
His most recent season in 2025 was particularly challenging and marked a significant downturn in performance. Splitting time between two teams, Wade accumulated 282 plate appearances but struggled mightily at the plate.
He finished the year with a .167 batting average, a .271 on-base percentage, and a .254 slugging percentage—numbers that fall well below his career norms. His overall offensive production during that period was reflected in a weighted runs created plus (wRC+) of 52, indicating that he performed far below league average.
Compounding those struggles was a noticeable increase in strikeouts. Wade posted a 24 percent strikeout rate during the season, the highest of his career, suggesting that he had difficulty making consistent contact against major league pitching. These issues raised questions about his ability to maintain a regular role at the big league level, particularly given his limited defensive versatility.
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Defensively, Wade has not been regarded as a standout option. At first base, which is his primary position, he is generally considered below average. His work in the outfield corners has also been evaluated similarly, with metrics indicating that he does not provide significant value with the glove in those spots. Additionally, he has historically struggled against left-handed pitching, limiting his effectiveness in certain matchups and making him more suited for a platoon role.
Even with those limitations, Wade’s left-handed bat could still hold appeal for teams seeking depth or a situational offensive contributor. Clubs in need of a lefty hitter who can play first base or fill in at a corner outfield position may view him as a worthwhile addition, particularly if they believe he can rebound closer to his career norms after a difficult 2025 season.
As for the other two players released in this round of cuts—Austin Voth and Lucas Sims—the team did not provide detailed commentary on their performances, but their situations follow a similar pattern. Both right-handed pitchers entered camp on minor league deals, hoping to earn a spot on the roster through strong showings during spring training. While each has prior major league experience, neither was able to secure a role with the White Sox heading into the season.
Their releases reflect the competitive nature of spring training, where teams evaluate a wide range of players and must ultimately make difficult decisions as they shape their final rosters. For veterans like Voth and Sims, the path often involves competing for limited bullpen spots against both established players and younger prospects looking to make their mark.
With their departures now official, all four players join the pool of available free agents at a time when many teams are still assessing their own roster needs. Injuries, performance concerns, and depth considerations can quickly create opportunities, and experienced players like Borucki, Wade, Voth, and Sims may find new homes as clubs continue to adjust their rosters in the days leading up to Opening Day.
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From the perspective of the White Sox, these moves signal a continued effort to refine and streamline their roster as they prepare for the regular season. Spring training often serves as a proving ground, but it also requires organizations to make pragmatic choices based on both short-term needs and long-term planning. While some players impress in limited samples, teams must weigh those performances against broader track records, roster fit, and organizational priorities.
In Borucki’s case, his strong spring showing was not enough to outweigh the team’s overall evaluation of their pitching depth and needs. For Wade, even an excellent offensive display could not fully erase concerns stemming from his recent struggles and defensive limitations. Meanwhile, Voth and Sims faced the inherent challenges of competing in a crowded field of bullpen candidates.
Ultimately, these roster decisions underscore the reality that spring training success does not always guarantee a place on the Opening Day roster. Performance, while important, is just one of many factors that teams consider when making their final cuts. Contract status, positional flexibility, long-term upside, and overall roster construction all play critical roles in shaping those outcomes.
As the regular season approaches, the White Sox will continue to evaluate their options and finalize their roster, while the players who were released will turn their attention to finding new opportunities. Given their experience and past contributions at the major league level, it would not be surprising to see each of them resurface with another organization in the near future.
For now, however, their time with the White Sox has come to an end, marking another step in the ongoing process of roster refinement that defines this stage of the baseball calendar.
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