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The Chicago White Sox will be without two important right-handers when they travel to Toronto to face the Blue Jays this week.
The team announced that starter Dylan Cease and reliever Kendall Graveman have both been placed on the restricted list ahead of the series, which begins Tuesday. The moves suggest Cease and Graveman do not have the adequate COVID-19 vaccination status to travel across the border without a quarantine.
Cease, a fourth-year starter, has gotten off to a hot start to the season. Through 10 starts in 2022, he leads all qualified pitchers with a 12.75 strikeout per nine rate and is second in the majors with 76 strikeouts. The White Sox are expected to start Lucas Giolito, Michael Kopech and Johnny Cueto during the three-game series.
Graveman, who made his MLB debut with the Blue Jays and was part of the Josh Donaldson trade with Oakland, has a 2.78 ERA with two saves and 19 strikeouts in 21 appearances out of the bullpen this season.
In a corresponding move, right-handed reliever Kyle Crick was recalled from triple-A Charlotte for the series. Additionally, former Cy Young winner Dallas Keuchel, who was designated for assignment by the White Sox on the weekend, has been placed on waivers for the purpose of granting him his release.
Players on MLB's restricted list are not paid for games missed.
The Blue Jays and White Sox open their season on Tuesday, with Kevin Gausman getting the ball for Toronto. You can watch the game on Sportsnet ONE and SN NOW beginning at 7:07 p.m. ET/ 4:07 p.m. PT.
