Chicago baseball report: Cubs rookie Owen Caissie flashes all-around game, and White Sox rotation gets overhaul

The Cubs finish their five-game series against the Milwaukee Brewers on Thursday to wrap up the regular-season slate between the division rivals.Next up: A three-city, 10-day West Coast trip that begins Friday in Anaheim, Calif., where they could face longtime Cub Kyle Hendricks.The White Sox play host to the Minnesota Twins this weekend at Rate Field.

The division foes last met in late April, and the Sox are 2-4 in the season series.

But the Twins made a major overhaul in the final days before the trade deadline, dealing away 10 big-league players.Every Thursday during the regular season, Tribune baseball writers will provide an update on what happened and whats ahead for the Cubs and White Sox.Want more? Sign up for our Cubs Insider and White Sox Insider.Cubs rookie Owen Caissie brings more than electric batWhen Caissie initially came into the organization from the San Diego Padres as the marquee piece of the Yu Darvish trade, his upside centered on his bat.Caissies offensive production powered his rise to the top prospect in the Cubs system, but the work he put in to become a more complete all-around player shouldnt be overlooked as he makes a splash during his first big-league chance.Its gotten a lot better, Caissie said of his defense.

Starting my career it was definitely a work in progress.

I feel like Ive worked hard at it and Im continuing to get better every single day.Caissie showed why the Cubs valued his offensive profile in their doubleheader sweep of the Milwaukee Brewers on Tuesday when the 23-year-old Canadian drove in four of their 10 runs and hit his first MLB home run.

He also made a pair of great catches during Game 1 in the tricky right-field corner at Wrigley Field that always presents a challenge no matter how many reps an outfielder might get out there.Cubs left fielder Owen Caissie catches a fly ball during Game 1 of a doubleheader against the Brewers on Aug.

19, 2025, at Wrigley Field.

(Chris Sweda/Chicago Tribune)Those two plays came on the heels of a catch in the left-center-field gap taking him into the brick wall in Mondays loss, featuring a 30% catch probability, to end the first inning and save a run.It was cool to get the first one out of the way, like a bigger play, and then touch the ivy, Caissie said.

If I run into (the wall), cool.

Itll suck but Im really trying to make every play possible.Caissie takes pregame fly balls in left and right field before every game, barring the long doubleheader day, to continue to get more comfortable.

Before the rookie made his first start in right field at Wrigley, first-base coach Jose Javier and third-base coach Quintin Berry, who also works with Cubs outfielders, advised Caissie that balls hit that way might start foul and come back toward the field.And they did, Caissie said.

(William) Contreras ball started in the stands and came right back and I stayed with it.

Im really just trying to help the team out.

Its tough, but Im going to stick with it for sure.GM Chris Getz assesses White Sox pitchingAugust has been filled with adjustments for the Sox rotation.The changes actually started on the last day of July when the team traded Adrian Houser to the Tampa Bay Rays.White Sox starter Sean Burke, left, and catcher Edgar Quero cover their mouths while having a meeting on the mound in the second inning against the Cubs on May 17, 2025, at Wrigley Field.

(John J.

Kim/Chicago Tribune)The Sox optioned starters Jonathan Cannon and Sean Burke to Triple-A Charlotte on Aug.

8 and Aug.

18, respectively.

Both are working on attacking the strike zone.Yoendrys Gomez joined the rotation, making two starts after being recalled from Charlotte.

And Martin Perez returned from the injured list.Analyzing pitching throughout the organization, Getz on Monday said the Sox are in a pretty good spot.You look at some of the starters weve had up here and the innings they have taken as young players, thats a real positive, Getz said in Atlanta.

Our bullpen has really settled in.

It has improved the last six to eight weeks, which is a strong indication of both depth and being able to identify which guys are better in certain areas of the game.We are continuing to add depth on the starter front.

We have a lot of different options.

We all know going into a year, youre going to need in upwards of 10 to 12 starters.

We feel like we are continuing to build that depth.Getz also pointed out areas in which improvement is needed.Our first-pitch strikes (58.6% entering Wednesday, worst in the majors according to MLB Statcast), our walk percentage (9.7%, next-to-last) you look at where we are in the league, that needs to improve, he said.

Those arent the end all, be all.

You can still have success when you are perhaps not top of the league but you cant be at the bottom of the league.

Those are areas that need to take larger jumps.Our pitching guys, we obviously believe in them.

You look at some of the arms we have in the organization the last couple of years and the jumps they have made, industry value, and their performance as a whole has been really positive.

We need to continue to stay at it, make some tweaks along the way.

But we do feel like we are headed in the right direction.Number of the week: 8Lenyn Sosa ranks third in the American League with eight home runs since July 28.

Shea Langeliers of the Athletics has 10 and the Rays Junior Caminero has nine during the stretch.Week ahead: CubsThursday: vs.

Brewers, 1:20 p.m., MarqueeFriday: at Angels, 8:38 p.m., MarqueeSaturday: at Angels, 8:39 p.m., MarqueeSunday: at Angels, 3:07 p.m., MarqueeMonday: offTuesday: at Giants, 8:45 p.m., MarqueeWednesday: at Giants, 8:45 p.m., MarqueeCubs second baseman Nico Hoerner fields the ball against the Pirates on Sunday, Aug.

17, 2025, at Wrigley Field.

(Eileen T.

Meslar/Chicago Tribune)When Nico Hoerner opted to undergo flexor tendon surgery in October, a major motivation behind taking that path was to enable him to play shortstop again.The injury he suffered early last year prevented Hoerner from being able to make the necessary throws from shortstop, and thus he wasnt able to sufficiently back up Dansby Swanson at the position if he needed a rare day off.

With that behind him and fully healthy, Hoerner has been able to get more innings at shortstop.

He got the start at short in Game 1 of Tuesdays doubleheader, his second start there in August and third of the year.Hes played a high-level shortstop for a full season in the big leagues, and I think when youve done that and can do that and then cant do that, like somethings wrong, so where his arms at is really good, manager Craig Counsell said.

He continues to improve over the course of the season, and I know he feels really good about it too.Hoerner hasnt committed an error in his 31 innings at shortstop this year.

He was the Cubs everyday shortstop in 2022 before they signed Dansby following the season.

Hoerners ability to be able to play the position again provides Counsell flexibility to rest Swanson as needed down the stretch.Week ahead: White SoxThursday: offFriday: vs.

Twins, 6:40 p.m., CHSN/The USaturday: vs.

Twins, 6:10 p.m., CHSNSunday: vs.

Twins, 1:10 p.m., CHSNMonday: vs.

Royals, 6:40 p.m., CHSNTuesday: vs.

Royals, 6:40 p.m., CHSNWednesday: vs.

Royals, 6:40 p.m., CHSNWhite Sox starter Yoendrys Gomez delivers against the Tigers on Aug.

12, 2025, at Rate Field.

(Talia Sprague/AP)Gomez is making the most of an opportunity to start.The right-hander is 2-0 with a 3.60 ERA in two outings since returning from Triple A on Aug.

12.Im glad the organization has given me the chance to start in the major leagues, Gomez said through an interpreter Monday at Truist Park.The Sox claimed Gomez off waivers from the Los Angeles Dodgers on May 10.

He pitched in three games from May 15-19, was designated for assignment May 20 and outrighted to Charlotte on May 23.He had 10 strikeouts and two walks in 10 innings over the two starts.When we got him, the opportunity for improvement with him was throwing strikes, manager Will Venable said.

He went to work on it, made some great adjustments, and weve seen the results here now two starts in a row where hes competing in the zone.Hes got outstanding stuff and just has a really good feel for pitching.

Hes been outstanding.Gomez allowed three earned runs and struck out three over five innings in Mondays 13-9 win against the Atlanta Braves.You always try to do a good job in every outing, Gomez said.

And throw strikes.

I think having that mentality and being able to attack the hitters, throw strikes and command pitches is huge.What were reading todayFeels like home, for sure: Cubs 1st-round draft pick Ethan Conrad visits Wrigley FieldAdjustments continue for White Sox rookie infielder Colson Montgomery: Learn from each experienceHow White Sox veterans are helping rookies navigate dog days of August: Its hot as hell outsideSlumping Kyle Tucker sits for a mental reset as the Cubs slugger searches for answersHe needs to take another step: White Sox option opening-day starter Sean Burke to Triple-A CharlotteColumn: For Cubs slugger Kyle Tucker, an untimely seat on the bench in a wild-card raceHis bat is dangerous: White Sox infielder Lenyn Sosa keeps adding to his career-best productionColumn: Cubs are right to consider the future but its not the best timing for 2032 remarkSavannah Bananas leave an indelible mark on Chicago, from an emotional White Sox reunion to a Chance happeningQuotableIts hard sometimes to not let the situation get big and honestly just be who you are and really be in the moment.

Caissie on what advice he has received during his career on how to stay calm during big moments.

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