White Sox Aim for Spring Victory Against Padres with Newcomb on the Mound

Sean Newcomb is set to take the mound for the White Sox in his second start since signing a one-year deal in December. After a narrow defeat to San Francisco yesterday, the lefty aims to build on the momentum he garnered during his time in the Athletics’ bullpen last season. Newcomb, who began his professional career as a starter, transitioned to the bullpen in 2021 with the Atlanta Braves, where he made 32 appearances while still stepping in for spot starts when needed.

In 2025, Newcomb established himself as a formidable reliever, achieving a stellar 1.75 ERA and a 1.032 WHIP over 51 1/3 innings in 36 games. His performance placed him among the league’s top-five relievers, raising expectations for his role in Chicago’s bullpen. After a season marked by one-run losses and late-game struggles, the White Sox are hopeful that Newcomb can provide the much-needed stability to their relief staff.

On the offensive side, the South Side lineup is thriving this spring, ranking fourth in batting average, fifth in slugging percentage, and sixth in OPS. Edgar Quero has been particularly impressive, boasting a .529 batting average in five games, and he’ll be behind the plate today in the cleanup spot. Chase Meidroth, Colson Montgomery, and Miguel Vargas are slated to lead off, with Vargas holding the seventh-highest batting average on the team at .412, including two doubles.

As manager Will Venable assesses his roster, LaMonte Wade Jr. will get some action at first base, while Austin Hays, Brooks Baldwin, and Dru Baker round out the outfield. The White Sox are looking to harness their offensive prowess and secure another win in spring training.

For the Padres, right-hander Nick Pivetta will also be making his second start of the spring. Although his early numbers reflect three earned runs over two innings, Pivetta’s track record as a consistent performer remains intact. Last season, he posted a 2.87 ERA and a 0.985 WHIP in 31 starts for San Diego, finishing among the top 15 in strikeouts.

While the Padres lineup features many prospects, 2024 All-Star Jackson Merrill will bat second, and newly acquired DH Nick Castellanos will take the four-spot as he seeks to establish himself in San Diego.

There is no broadcast for today’s matchup, but fans with MLB.TV or MLB+ subscriptions can catch the game via the Padres radio broadcast. Stay tuned for a full recap later today as both teams aim for a spring victory ahead of the World Baseball Classic.

Note: This recap is an independently written summary based on publicly available reporting.