Back to the Chicago White Sox Newsfeed

Derek Holland hopes to help himself, White Sox rebuild

A dog named Wrigley derailed Derek Holland's 2014 season with the Rangers.

It's doubtful Holland's next pet will be named Guaranteed Rate, but that's where the new White Sox left-hander will attempt to steer his injury-riddled career back on path this season, largely because of a pitching coach named Don Cooper.

Holland, 30, is guaranteed a rate of $6 million, according to the one-year deal he signed with the Sox shortly after Chris Sale was shipped to the Red Sox.

The known animal lover — he has five lizards and a chinchilla and said he'd like an otter — said he tripped over his now-8-year-old boxer (named for a certain Chicago ballpark) on the stairs in 2014, causing him to tear cartilage in his left knee, which he said buckled when he grabbed the railing to brace himself.