The Chicago White Sox saw pitcher Erick Fedde make a smooth transition back to the big leagues in 2024 after dominating the Korea Baseball Organization.
Anthony Kay will look to do likewise, returning from Japan’s Nippon Professional Baseball after reportedly signing a two-year, $12 million deal with the Sox on Wednesday.
The left-hander went 15-15 with a 2.53 ERA, 249 strikeouts and 94 walks over 291 2/3 innings during two seasons for Yokohama. That included a dazzling 1.74 ERA and 130 strikeouts in 155 innings during 2025.
Kay, 30, has five seasons of big-league experience, most recently in 2023 with the New York Mets.
He is 4-2 with a 5.59 ERA in 44 career major-league games (seven starts) with the Toronto Blue Jays (2019-22), Chicago Cubs (2023) and Mets (2023). He has 88 strikeouts and 47 walks in 85 1/3 innings.
Kay was a first-round selection by the Mets at No. 31 in the 2016 MLB draft.
He’ll aim to follow a path similar to Fedde, who went 7-4 with a 3.11 ERA for the Sox in 2024 before being traded to the St. Louis Cardinals that July as part of a three-team deal.
Robert Murray of FanSided initially reported Wednesday’s signing. According to multiple reports, Kay will receive $5 million each in 2026 and 2027 with a $2 million buyout on a $10 million mutual option for 2028.
Starting and relief pitching have been a priority for the Sox this offseason.
“We want to support our young arms the best that we can, and in doing so, obviously, there’s free agency and trade activity,” general manager Chris Getz said at last month’s GM meetings in Las Vegas. “We’re taking a look at both of those avenues and seeing what we can accomplish.”
The Sox acquired left-hander Chris Murphy in a trade with the Boston Red Sox on Nov. 18. At the time of that deal, the White Sox hadn’t decided if Murphy would be utilized as a starter or relief pitcher.
Shane Smith and Davis Martin are among the team’s returning starters. Options also include Sean Burke and Jonathan Cannon. Both will be competing for spots in the rotation, Getz said at the GM meetings. Grant Taylor and Mike Vasil are slated to remain in the bullpen.