CHICAGO – The Chicago White Sox have exercised the $16-million club option on the contract of eight-time All-Star right-handed pitcher Craig Kimbrel for the 2022 season and have declined the $6-million club option on infielder César Hernández for 2022 (no buyout).
Kimbrel, 33, went 4-5 with a 2.26 ERA (15 ER/59.2 IP), 24 saves, 100 strikeouts (15.08 per 9.0 IP) and a 0.91 WHIP over 63 appearances last season with the Chicago Cubs and White Sox. He ranks ninth in major-league history with 372 saves.
Hernández, 31, combined to hit .232/.308/.384 (132-570) with 21 doubles, 21 home runs, 62 RBI and 84 runs scored over 149 games last season with Cleveland and the White Sox.
The White Sox 40-man roster decreases to 33.
