The Chicago White Sox have hit a rough patch with their rising star Shane Smith, who will be sidelined for a couple of weeks due to a right rotator cuff strain, as reported by MLB.com's Scott Merkin.

Last season, Smith was the feel-good story of the South Side. The 26-year-old right-hander burst onto the scene with a stellar campaign, appearing in 29 games and posting a 3.81 ERA with a 1.19 WHIP—numbers that earned him a well-deserved All-Star nod. Fans were eager to see if he could build on that breakout performance.

Unfortunately, the sophomore season has been a different story. In three appearances this year, Smith has yet to record a win, struggling with a 10.80 ERA and a 2.52 WHIP while failing to pitch deep into games. His struggles continued during a rehab stint with the Triple-A Charlotte Knights, where he posted a 5.27 ERA across four starts.

The rotator cuff injury now puts a halt to any progress Smith was making. It's a tough break for a pitcher who was trying to rediscover his form, and it adds to an already crowded injury list for the White Sox, joining Everson Pereira and Kyle Teel on the sidelines.

For White Sox fans, this is a frustrating setback for a player who showed so much promise. The hope now is that Smith can use this time to rest and rehab, returning stronger to recapture the magic of his breakout season.