White Sox to use Fraser Ellard as opener against Yankees

Veteran pitcher will start Wednesday's game in Chicago

Published on Feb. 10, 2026

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The Chicago White Sox have announced that veteran pitcher Fraser Ellard will serve as the opening pitcher in Wednesday's game against the New York Yankees. Ellard has been used in an opener role by the White Sox this season as the team continues to manage its pitching staff.

Why it matters

As teams look to maximize their pitching resources, the use of 'openers' has become more common in Major League Baseball. Ellard's role as an opener allows the White Sox to strategically deploy their pitching staff and leverage his experience to set up the rest of the game.

The details

Ellard, a 12-year MLB veteran, has made several appearances as an opener for the White Sox this season. In that role, he typically pitches the first 1-2 innings before handing the game over to another pitcher who will work as the primary starter. This allows the White Sox to manage workloads and optimize matchups throughout the game.

  • Ellard will start Wednesday's game against the Yankees.

The players

Fraser Ellard

A 12-year MLB veteran who has been used as an opener by the Chicago White Sox this season.

Chicago White Sox

The Major League Baseball team based in Chicago, Illinois.

New York Yankees

The Major League Baseball team based in New York City.

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What’s next

The White Sox will continue to monitor Ellard's performance and usage as an opener throughout the season as they look to optimize their pitching staff.

The takeaway

The use of 'openers' has become a common strategy in MLB as teams seek to maximize their pitching resources and manage workloads. Ellard's role as an opener for the White Sox is an example of how teams are adapting their pitching approaches to stay competitive.