The White Sox purchased the contract of left-handed pitcher Carlos Rodon Monday while also activating right-handed pitcher Jake Petricka from the 15-day disabled list.
The pair are set to strengthen the team's bullpen, which is 26th in the league with a .252 batting average against while posting a 3.86 ERA.
Rodon was the team's No. 3 overall selection in last year's draft and has thrown just 34 1/3 inings in his professional career. He's expected to pitch out of the rotation long-term but will begin his career as a reliever. The White Sox did the same thing with current ace Chris Sale, who made 79 relief appearances in 2010 and 2011 before joining the rotation in 2012 and reeling off three straight seasons with top-six Cy Young finishes.
Petricka opened the season on the disabled list due to a sore right forearm. He started his rehab assignment Thursday and is able to join the team this week after suffering no setbacks.
"It was a matter of getting rid of that soreness, and time wasn't on our side in spring and now we are here," Petricka said, per MLB.com. "I mean, I definitely wanted to be here, but it was more of a mental change than physical because the structure was fine in the arm. It was a matter of getting it feeling good again. That was a tough little battle. But it's over and now let's have a good long season."