White Sox No. 4 prospect out a month-plus with left shoulder impingement

NEW YORK -- The White Sox thought about calling up left-handed pitcher Hagen Smith to make his MLB debut last weekend. That ultimately didn't happen, and now Chicago’s No. 4 prospect and the No. 47 prospect in MLB won't be pitching anywhere for a while.

The White Sox announced Tuesday that Smith has a left shoulder impingement, and he will not throw for two weeks. Hagen will then spend two weeks ramping up before a possible return to game action.

“However you want to categorize the concern, there is enough to shut him down for two weeks,” White Sox manager Will Venable said before Tuesday’s game against the Yankees.

Venable said that the team considered calling up Smith to start Saturday’s game against the Dodgers at Rate Field. However, a rainout of Chicago’s game on Thursday against the Braves allowed the club to reset its rotation, and Sean Burke faced the Dodgers instead.

Smith, the No. 5 overall pick in the 2024 Draft, owns a 4.67 ERA with 77 strikeouts and 36 walks in 52 innings at Triple-A Charlotte this season. In his most recent outing Saturday, he allowed eight runs (seven earned) and four homers through 4 1/3 innings against Oklahoma City.

“He is one of our guys,” Venable said about Smith. “We are really excited for him to contribute at the big league level. He is continuing to work on things. Obviously now, he has health challenges as well. But he, among all of our guys down there, wants to be healthy, performing well and come help us in the big league level.”