Anthony Kay to Open Season as White Sox No. 3 After Mixed Spring in Mesa

In Mesa on March 24, 2026, Anthony Kay was confirmed as the Chicago White Sox’s No. 3 starter and is scheduled to make his first regular-season turn Sunday against Milwaukee after a spring that produced uneven results.

Kay’s final spring appearance came against Oakland, where he surrendered seven runs on seven hits, struck out four and issued four walks over 3 2/3 innings. He worked three scoreless innings early but lost command in the fourth inning, loading the bases via a single and two hit-by-pitches before allowing a grand slam. He was briefly relieved and then returned, yielding additional runs in the fifth. The left-hander finished Grapefruit League play with a 4.95 ERA.

The club also navigated other late-spring decisions. Outfielder Everson Pereira was a late scratch Monday with an illness after committing a rare misplay that led to a triple; he closes spring with two home runs, five RBIs and an .899 OPS and is expected to be available for Opening Day. Right-hander Jedixson Paez, a Rule 5 selection who missed much of last year with a strained calf, posted a 6.35 ERA across seven appearances and 2 2/3 innings in his final outing; he remains a longshot for the Opening Day roster but could provide multi-inning relief with Mike Vasil out for the season. In the most recent spring exhibition, Oakland beat Chicago 10-9; Lenyn Sosa had four RBIs for the A’s. The White Sox open the regular season Thursday at 1:10 p.m. in Milwaukee.