Chicago signed the former Mariners to a minor league contract

The Chicago White Sox added right-handed pitcher Austin Watt to his organization on Friday to a minor league contractand the 33-year-old is set to attend spring training as a non-invitee, according to James Fegan of the Sock Machine.

Voth returns to baseball after a season in Japan with the Chiba Lotte Marines. He made 22 starts, pitched 125 innings with a 3.96 ERA and recorded 92 strikeouts. Voth performed well in the strike zone, but with a 17.4% strikeout rate and limited action from the field, it was a challenging first season outside the United States after years in affiliate ball.

The 33-year-old was drafted by the Washington Nationals in the fifth round of the 2013 MLB Draft, signing for $272,800. He made his professional debut that year, finishing with a 1.75 ERA and 55 strikeouts in 46⅓ innings in 11 starts. After working his way through Washington’s minor league system, including a 3.15 ERA in 157 innings at Triple-A Syracuse in 2016, he made his MLB debut in 2018. During parts of seven seasons in the major leagues, he appeared for the Nationals, Baltimore Orioles and Seattle Mariners, alternating between starting and returning roles.

Voth’s performance fluctuated in the majors. He posted a 6.57 ERA in four games with Washington in 2018, improved to a 3.30 ERA in 2019 over nine appearances, but regressed to a 6.34 ERA in the shortened 2020 season. After moving primarily to the bullpen in 2021, he finished with a 5.34 ERA before being acquired by Baltimore in 2022. That season, Voth had 17 starts and five relief appearances for the Orioles, compiling a 3.04 ERA in 83 innings. He spent 2023 mostly in relief, posting a 4.94 ERA in 23 appearances and a brief stint on the 60-day disabled list.

Voth joined Seattle in 2024, appearing in a career-high 68 games with a 3.69 ERA, 61 strikeouts and 18 walks. However, after struggling to a 9.95 ERA in September, the Mariners decided not to tender Voth, leading to his departure to Japan.

The White Sox have a recent history of successfully reviving pitchers returning from overseas, including Eric Fede and Anthony Kay. While Vaught is not guaranteed a major league roster spot, he will compete for a long-term role in a Chicago bullpen that remains inexperienced, with the potential to build innings as a starter if needed.