Adrian Houser Is Trending: Inside the Pitching Performance That Has MLB Buzzing

CHICAGO — Veteran right-hander Adrian Houser wasted no time making an impression on Chicago’s South Side, twirling six shutout innings just hours after signing a one-year, $1.35 million deal with the White Sox, who edged the Seattle Mariners 1-0 to halt a five-game skid. Houser scattered two hits and three walks across a 90-pitch effort, leaning on a lively two-seam fastball and a late-breaking sweeper to induce a pair of double plays while striking out two. The outing marked his first Major League start since May 2024 and immediately solidified his place in manager Will Venable’s rotation. Signed out of Triple-A Round Rock after opting out of his Rangers contract on May 15, the 31-year-old brings 104 career MLB starts and a 4.21 ERA to a rebuilding club desperate for innings. His arrival pushes struggling right-hander Bryse Wilson back to the bullpen and gives Chicago a ground-ball specialist capable of neutralizing the hitter-friendly dimensions of Guaranteed Rate Field. Offensively, rookie second baseman Chase Meidroth extended his hitting streak to eight games, scoring the lone run on Joshua Palacios’ third-inning single. Relievers Cam Booser and Jordan Leasure combined for three nerve-jangling frames, with Leasure notching his first save after Booser avenged Monday’s grand-slam heartbreak by fanning Mitch Garver and retiring Julio Rodríguez with the bases loaded. Houser’s instant impact offers the White Sox a low-risk, high-reward rotation upgrade as trade-deadline chatter looms. If the Oklahoma native sustains his sinker velocity and keeps walks in check, he could evolve from emergency stopgap to coveted mid-season asset for contenders seeking playoff pitching depth. Fantasy managers should monitor Houser’s next start against the Mets; early strike-throwing and ground-ball rates hint at streaming potential. For Chicago, the performance provides a rare bright spot in a challenging season and underscores the front office’s willingness to scour the market for undervalued arms with upside. Key takeaways: • Six scoreless innings in White Sox debut • One-year, $1.35 million contract signed the same day as start • Career 32-39 record, 4.21 ERA across eight MLB seasons • Moves Bryse Wilson to bullpen, stabilizing rotation depth • Next scheduled start projects versus New York Mets With a fresh opportunity and a powerful first impression, Adrian Houser has quickly turned a journeyman narrative into one of the most intriguing pitching storylines of the young MLB season.