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Matt Thornton | Relief Pitcher

Team: Chicago White Sox
Age / DOB:  (36) / 9/15/1976
Ht / Wt:  6'6' / 235
Bats / Throws: Left / Left
College: Grand Valley State
Contract: view contract details
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Latest News

Recent News

Matt Thornton (elbow) threw live batting practice Wednesday with no issues.
Thornton has been taking it slowly since the start of spring training due to inflammation in his pitching elbow. The injury isn't a major concern and the 36-year-old remains on track to be ready for Opening Day. Feb 27 - 2:18 PM
Source: WhiteSox.mlb.com

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Player News

Date:
Matt Thornton - R - White Sox

Matt Thornton (elbow) threw a 35-pitch bullpen session Sunday with no issues.

He was able to mix in all of his pitches during the session. Thornton had been dealing with some inflammation in his pitching elbow, but it appears he's now ready to roll.
Source: Dan Hayes on Twitter
Feb 24 - 2:13 PM
Matt Thornton - R - White Sox

Matt Thornton (elbow) played catch Thursday without incident.

"The MRI was extremely over the top precautionary," said Thornton. "It was the back side of the elbow and the ligaments are fine. It’s probably just tendinitis I’m guessing, whatever you want to call it. I’ll get that area under control and move forward. I’m fine." Thornton expects to play catch again before progressing to a bullpen session and eventually live batting practice. He's aiming to make his Cactus League debut on March 5, so he should have plenty of time to get ready for Opening Day.
Source: ESPN Chicago
Feb 21 - 3:46 PM
Matt Thornton - R - White Sox

Matt Thornton (elbow) plans to play catch Thursday.

Thornton was diagnosed with inflammation in his elbow earlier this week following an MRI, but he said Wednesday that the pain doesn't compare to what he dealt with back in 2010. The veteran southpaw should only need a few outings to get ready for the season, so the White Sox will likely ease him into action.
Source: Mark Gonzales on Twitter
Feb 21 - 10:53 AM
Matt Thornton - R - White Sox

Matt Thornton (elbow) said Wednesday that he'll resume throwing in two days.

Thornton underwent an MRI on Tuesday which showed inflammation in his elbow, but no structural damage. The veteran southpaw is confident that it won't be a lingering issue.
Source: Mark Gonzales on Twitter
Feb 20 - 11:31 AM
Matt Thornton - R - White Sox

An MRI on Matt Thornton's left elbow showed inflammation.

Thornton was held out of Tuesday's workouts due to elbow discomfort. The MRI didn't reveal any structural damage, so while it would be better if he didn't need the exam at all, the situation could certainly be worse. It's not clear when he might resume throwing.
Source: Dan Hayes on Twitter
Feb 19 - 3:25 PM
Matt Thornton - R - White Sox

Matt Thornton was held out of workouts Tuesday due to elbow discomfort.

It's not clear how long he'll be sidelined. Thornton, 36, had a 3.46 ERA and 53/17 K/BB ratio over 65 innings last season and is owed $5.5 million in 2013.
Source: Mark Gonzales on Twitter
Feb 19 - 3:11 PM
Matt Thornton - R - White Sox

With Addison Reed unavailable after pitching three consecutive nights, Matt Thornton recorded a four-out save in Saturday's victory over the Blue Jays.

Thornton allowed a hit and struck out two in the fill-in performance. He's enjoying another very solid season with a 2.89 ERA, two saves and 35/10 K/BB ratio in 37 1/3 innings and remains one of the finest setup men in the business.
Sat, Jul 7, 2012 07:05:00 PM
Matt Thornton - R - White Sox

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.
Mon, May 7, 2012 11:31:00 AM
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
Fri, Apr 6, 2012 12:14:00 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
Fri, Mar 23, 2012 10:40:00 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
Fri, Mar 16, 2012 10:41:00 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
Fri, Jan 27, 2012 11:46:00 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
Wed, Jan 25, 2012 07:54:00 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

Depth Charts

Batters
PosRoleName
C1Tyler Flowers
2Hector Gimenez
1B1Paul Konerko
2B1Gordon Beckham
2Tyler Greene
SS1Alexei Ramirez
2Angel Sanchez
3B1Jeff Keppinger
2Conor Gillaspie
LF1Dayan Viciedo
CF1Alejandro De Aza
2Dewayne Wise
RF1Alex Rios
2Casper Wells
DH1Adam Dunn
Starting Pitcher
PosRoleName
S1Chris Sale
2Jake Peavy
3John Danks
4Gavin Floyd
5Jose Quintana
6Dylan Axelrod
7Hector Santiago
Relief Pitcher
PosRoleName
R1Addison Reed
2Matt Thornton
3Jesse Crain
4Nate Jones
5Matt Lindstrom
6Brian Omogrosso
7Donnie Veal
8Leyson Septimo