The Chicago White Sox left Jarred Kelenic off their roster, the same player who was once the No. 4 overall prospect in MLB in 2021 and seen as having a bright future ahead. Last season he played with the Atlanta Braves, but he will not be part of the 2026 Opening Day roster.
Brooke Fletcher was among the first to report the news on X (@brookfletcher). “Jarred Kelenic and Drew Romo have been informed they won’t make the 26-man roster. Both will remain in major league camp.” The situation for the former top prospect is not as complicated as it may seem.
Kelenic will still have the chance to work his way back onto a major league roster. His exit from the Braves was difficult, but he did not have a guaranteed spot elsewhere after leaving their system. With Chicago, the deal never assured him a place on the roster.
Kelenic has faced struggles
Since reaching the majors in 2021, Kelenic has dealt with inconsistency. He has struggled to lock down a starting role or build sustained production. With the Braves in 2024, he appeared in 131 games, his highest total in a season, but his struggles in 2025 ultimately pushed him out of the team’s plans.
“It’s okay when stuff isn’t going right, it’s inevitable. But you have to have the ability to take a step back and know everything will be okay,” Kelenic told Chicago Sports Network while reflecting on how difficult it has been to deal with those struggles throughout his MLB career.
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During 2026 spring training, he also had issues at the plate, hitting just .179. Still, he managed to produce two home runs, five RBIs and five walks, though he struck out 12 times in 14 games. It was another tough spring for him, similar to what other players have experienced.
