ST. PETERSBURG -- After an 8-28 start to the season, including an American League worst 3-16 on the road, it appears that the White Sox have started to look to the future.

The South Siders dealt veteran outfielder Robbie Grossman to the Rangers on Wednesday in exchange for Minor League right-handed pitcher Anthony Hoopii-Tuionetoa.

Grossman, 34, was hitting .211/.329/.268 (15-for-71) with four doubles, four RBIs, 13 walks and six runs scored over 25 games with the White Sox this season after signing a Minor League contract on March 28. He was also a valued veteran who was praised for his work with younger players.

¡°He was a big-time professional,¡± White Sox manager Pedro Grifol said. ¡°He was a leader that led by example, wasn't afraid to share his knowledge and embrace the development part of it, the teaching part of it.¡±

When asked if this deal is the first of many that is expected, Grifol said that he can¡¯t be concerned with that part of the game.

¡°That¡¯s up to [general manager] Chris [Getz] and the front office. They have the pulse of what¡¯s going on and what we can do and can¡¯t. That¡¯s not my responsibility,¡± Grifol said. ¡±My responsibility is to get these 26 guys ready to play baseball. Their responsibility is to set this roster up, add depth where they can and look at the whole picture and not just this year but the big picture for next year and beyond.¡±

Hoopii-Tuionetoa, 23, is 1-0 with a 0.00 ERA (12 1/3 IP), 0.89 WHIP, one save, 16 strikeouts and one unearned run allowed over 10 relief appearances with Double-A Frisco this season. He ranks among the Texas League relief leaders in ERA (1st), WHIP (2nd), opponents average (2nd, .167), strikeout-to-walk rate (3rd, 4.00), strikeouts per 9.0 IP (7th, 11.68) and strikeouts (8th). He has been assigned to Double-A Birmingham.

¡°You can never have too many good arms,¡± Grifol said. ¡°This kid's got a good arm, and he'll help us at some point.¡±

A native of Wailuku, Hawai¡¯i, Hoopii-Tuionetoa was named a 2022 MiLB organizational All-Star after going 4-3 with a 3.09 ERA (15 ER/43 2/3 IP), eight saves and 67 strikeouts in 36 games for Single-A Down East in his first full season. Hoopii-Tuionetoa is 9-7 with a 3.15 ERA (36 ER/103 IP), 18 saves and 146 strikeouts (12.75 per 9 IP) in 83 career games over four seasons in the Rangers organization. He originally was selected by Texas in the 30th round of the 2019 First-Year Player Draft out of Pierce (Wash.) College.

Following the trade, the White Sox selected the contract of infielder Zach Remillard from Triple-A Charlotte to fill out the 40-man roster. Remillard, 30, has appeared in two games with the White Sox in 2024, going 1-for-5 (.200) with a run scored. He was designated for assignment on April 22.