Getty

Lucas Sims looks on after being relieved during the eighth inning against the St. Louis Cardinals.

The Chicago White Sox’s bullpen is still a work in progress despite signing Seranthony Dominguez recently. For a team that was 15-36 in one-run games last season, the bullpen needs to improve drastically.

The White Sox have signed reliever Lucas Sims to a minor league deal as a non-roster invitee, according to James Fegan of Sox Machine.

Sims will be entering his 10th season in the majors, with a career 4.86 ERA in 263 games.

Entering his age-32 season, Sims will compete in spring training for a spot on the major league roster.

What Will Sims Bring to the Chicago White Sox?

Sims was drafted in the first round of the 2012 MLB Draft by the Atlanta Braves. Originally meant to be a starter, Sims debuted in 2017 and made 10 starts, with a 5.62 ERA.

He started out the 2018 season in the Braves’ bullpen, but struggled in six games to a 7.84 ERA. The Braves traded him to the Cincinnati Reds in the Adam Duvall deal, where he would flourish.

In 2019, he started showing signs of improvement with a 4.60 ERA in 24 games. In the COVID-shortened 2020 season, he would break out, posting a 2.45 ERA in 20 games, with 34 strikeouts.

During the 2021 season, he would post a 4.40 ERA. However, his advanced stats told a different story. His 3.00 FIP showed he was getting unlucky, and his 76 strikeouts in 47 innings were outstanding. He would only pitch in six games in 2022.

In 2023, he would have his best season, pitching to a 3.10 ERA in 67 games with 72 strikeouts. He started off the 2024 season with a 3.57 ERA and was subsequently traded to the Boston Red Sox.

In Boston, he would struggle, pitching to a 6.43 ERA in 15 games, losing control. In 2025, it all fell apart.

With the Washington Nationals, in 18 games, he would pitch to a 13.86 ERA with more walks than strikeouts. Now, he must prove himself on a minor league deal.

Who Will Sims be Competing Against in Chicago?

Despite signing Dominguez, this bullpen is largely a work in progress.

Jordan Leasure and Grant Taylor are basically guaranteed spots in high-leverage situations, but both had their struggles during the 2025 season.

Mike Vasil should be the long reliever, but could be a high-leverage arm, or even a starter. Vasil was one of the best rookies on the team in 2025, pitching to a 2.50 ERA in over 100 innings.

Sean Newcomb was a veteran acquisition during this offseason. While he has been a starter for much of his career, in his last 36 games, he put up a 1.75 ERA as a reliever.

Brandon Eisert and Tyler Gilbert will be the lefties out of the bullpen, likely.

Jedixson Paez and Alexander Alberto, two promising arms picked in the Rule 5 draft, could have roles in the bullpen. If they aren’t on the major league roster at any point during the 2026 season, they will have to be returned to their respective teams.

Sims certainly has his work cut out for him to make the roster, but if he can regain his Cincinnati swagger, perhaps he could be of use to this Chicago team.