NBCSports.com

Player Page

Roster

Matt Thornton | Relief Pitcher

Team: Chicago White Sox
Ht / Wt:  6'6' / 235
Age / DOB:  (35) / 9/15/1976
Bats / Throws: Left / Left
College: Grand Valley State
Contract: view contract details
Share: 

Latest News

Recent News

Matt Thornton has allowed a total of four hits and four earned runs in his past two relief appearances.
Thornton's ERA was at 0.82 at the end of April and is already up to 3.75 here on May 7. The White Sox have transferred starter Chris Sale back to the bullpen in a desperation move to shore up some of their late-inning issues. Thornton might be asked to pitch in low-pressure situations for the next couple of games. May 7 - 11:31 AM

Highest Searched Players over the last 7 days


Player News

Date:
Matt Thornton - R - White Sox

White Sox manager Robin Ventura indicated Friday that who he uses as a closer could depend on the matchup.

Obviously, it's not what fantasy owners want to hear, and it's the opposite of what pitching coach Don Cooper said in the Chicago Sun-Times. "No, we are not doing committee,’’ Cooper said. "There will be a set closer.’’ Matt Thornton is still probably the best bet for saves, but Jesse Crain, Addison Reed and Hector Santiago could all be in the mix.
Related: Jesse Crain, Addison Reed, Hector Santiago
Source: Mark Gonzales on Twitter
Apr 6 - 12:14 PM
Matt Thornton - R - White Sox

Daryl Van Schouwen of the Chicago Sun-Times writes that the "smart money" is on Matt Thornton opening the season as the White Sox closer.

It makes sense, as manager Robin Ventura recently referred to Thornton and Jesse Crain are the "best options" for the job, and Crain is out with an oblique injury. Addison Reed is the closer of the future, but the Sox are expected to bring him along in a setup role first. Ventura said he might not officially name a closer until the team's last two exhibition games.
Related: Jesse Crain, Addison Reed
Source: Chicago Sun-Times
Mar 23 - 10:40 AM
Matt Thornton - R - White Sox

White Sox manager Robin Ventura said Thursday that Matt Thornton and Jesse Crain are the "best options" for the closer job.

Absent is the name of Addison Reed, whose "hype," Joe Cowley of the Chicago Sun-Times says, has "cooled a bit." Thornton has been unscored upon in his three outings this spring and should probably be viewed as the favorite to close at this point, especially since Crain is nursing a minor oblique injury. We still like Reed the best over the long haul, but Thornton should probably be at the top of your list for fantasy purposes.
Related: Jesse Crain, Addison Reed
Source: Chicago Sun-Times
Mar 16 - 10:41 AM
Matt Thornton - R - White Sox

White Sox pitching coach Don Cooper expressed surprise on the Mully and Hanley Show Friday when told that manager Robin Ventura views Matt Thornton as the favorite to be the team's closer.

"Who said that? You're giving me news,'' Cooper said. "It's news to me.'' The pitching coach added: "Like I said, Matt is certainly capable. You have Addison Reed is a kid who has to work into it. You can't name him. You got Jesse Crain -- he is a guy who is more than capable. We'll figure it out.'' In reality, Thornton is probably the favorite, but there will be a battle for the job in spring training. We like Reed best over the long term, but the Sox might ease the youngster into the role.
Related: Jesse Crain, Addison Reed
Source: Chicago Sun-Times
Jan 27 - 11:46 AM
Matt Thornton - R - White Sox

White Sox manager Robin Ventura confirmed Wednesday that he's viewing Matt Thornton as his closer.

"It's open, but right now I would say Matt is probably the guy to do that," Ventura told WSCR-AM 670 in Chicago. Thornton, a 35-year-old left-hander, has a 2.84 ERA and 1.10 WHIP in 260 innings since the start of the 2008 season. He should do just fine in the ninth inning.
Source: Chicago Tribune
Jan 25 - 7:54 PM
Matt Thornton - R - White Sox

According to Joe Cowley of the Chicago Sun-Times, a trade that would potentially send left-hander Matt Thornton to the Braves is "picking up steam."

The White Sox unloaded closer Sergio Santos to Toronto on Tuesday and may now be looking at other moves as part of an offseason fire-sale. Thornton, 35, posted a 3.32 ERA and 1.36 WHIP in 59 2/3 innings this past year. He's owed $12 million over the next two seasons.
Related: Braves
Source: Joe Cowley on Twitter
Tue, Dec 6, 2011 02:17:00 PM
Matt Thornton - R - White Sox

ESPN's Buster Olney reports that the White Sox are trying to trade left-hander Matt Thornton.

Thornton posted an underwhelming 3.32 ERA and 1.36 WHIP in 59 2/3 innings this year for the White Sox and is owed $12 million over the next two seasons. The 35-year-old southpaw might still fetch a decent prospect because of his past dominance, but it's unlikely that the Pale Hose will be blown away by trade offers.
Source: Buster Olney on Twitter
Tue, Nov 29, 2011 08:58:00 AM
Matt Thornton - R - White Sox

White Sox GM Kenny Williams said the odds that he'll make another trade before the deadline are "very, very slim."

The Sox are receiving plenty of hits on Carlos Quentin and Matt Thornton, but since they're still in the playoff hunt, they would have to be wowed by an offer, which hasn't happened. ‘‘Absolutely there’s always a chance [of a deal],’’ Williams said, ‘‘but I would say that chance is very, very slim. I don’t see anything on the horizon, and everything that potentially can be done comes at a sacrifice of the guys I expect we would need to try to win this division, so it’s very unlikely.’’
Related: Carlos Quentin
Source: Chicago Sun-Times
Sun, Jul 31, 2011 08:57:00 AM
Matt Thornton - R - White Sox

FOX Sports' Ken Rosenthal reports that the Rangers are interested in Matt Thornton.

It's not clear whether he's a backup plan in case they don't get Heath Bell or if they possibly want both relievers. The problem, though, is that the White Sox in return have asked for Derek Holland, who the Rangers surely would not give up in such a trade. Thornton has also drawn interest from the Yankees.
Related: Rangers, Derek Holland
Source: Ken Rosenthal on Twitter
Sat, Jul 30, 2011 12:24:00 PM
Matt Thornton - R - White Sox

A major league source told Doug Padilla of ESPNChicago.com that the Yankees have interest in left-hander Matt Thornton.

It's not surprising, as the Yankees could use another left-hander in their bullpen with Boone Logan as their best current option and Pedro Feliciano and Damaso Marte unlikely to contribute in any significant way this season. Thornton, 34, is owed $11 million from 2012-2013 after signing an extension over the winter. The St. Louis Post-Dispatch reported Sunday that the Cardinals also have interest in the veteran left-hander, potentially as part of a package involving center fielder Colby Rasmus.
Related: Yankees, Cardinals
Source: ESPNChicago.com
Mon, Jul 25, 2011 09:31:00 PM
Matt Thornton - R - White Sox

Matt Thornton pitched two perfect innings to save Saturday's win over the Cubs.

Thornton struck out two en route to his first save since May 22. Sergio Santos was unavailable after pitching in three consecutive games -- and has successfully converted each of his last seven save opportunities -- so don't look into it too much.
Related: Sergio Santos
Sat, Jul 2, 2011 07:23:00 PM
Matt Thornton - R - White Sox

Matt Thornton worked 1 1/3 perfect innings in a 7-3 loss to the Tigers Sunday.

Since being removed from the closer's role back in April, Thornton has been just fair. He posted a 2.89 ERA and 1.61 WHIP in 10 May appearances while often working in a setup role. Regardless, Sergio Santos has been dominant and is tightening his grip on the closer's gig almost daily.
Sun, Jun 5, 2011 06:38:00 PM
Matt Thornton - R - White Sox

Matt Thornton finally picked up his first save of the season with a perfect 10th inning Wednesday against the Angels.

Sergio Santos got the win in relief after throwing scoreless eighth and ninth innings. Santos remains the clear favorite for saves in the White Sox pen, but it's very encouraging to see Thornton turning it around. He's allowed one run in 3 2/3 innings this month.
Related: Sergio Santos
Thu, May 12, 2011 01:35:00 AM
Matt Thornton - R - White Sox

Matt Thornton took a loss for the White Sox on Friday after giving up one run in 1 2/3 innings against the Mariners.

Thornton pitched a scoreless eighth and may well have turned in a scoreless ninth had the White Sox not been playing the outfield particularly deep in a tie game. Jack Cust dropped one in front of Alex Rios to start a rally and two more singles scored him (well, actually pinch-runner Adam Kennedy), ending the game. It's the first time Thornton has been involved in a decision since the April 13 loss that cost him the closer's role. He's throwing better now, but he's still not in his usual form.
Sat, May 7, 2011 12:46:00 AM

Depth Charts

Batters
PosRoleName
C1A.J. Pierzynski
2Tyler Flowers
1B1Paul Konerko
2B1Gordon Beckham
SS1Alexei Ramirez
2Eduardo Escobar
3B1Brent Morel
LF1Dayan Viciedo
CF1Alejandro De Aza
RF1Alex Rios
2Kosuke Fukudome
3Brent Lillibridge
DH1Adam Dunn
Starting Pitcher
PosRoleName
S1John Danks
2Gavin Floyd
3Jake Peavy
4Philip Humber
5Chris Sale
6Jose Quintana
Relief Pitcher
PosRoleName
R1Addison Reed
2Matt Thornton
3Hector Santiago
4Jesse Crain
5Will Ohman
6Nate Jones
7Zach Stewart