Is this a turning point for the Sox?
If the White Sox get things turned around and start moving upward in the AL Central, they could look back at Thursday night's 3-1 win at Texas as the turning point.
Before the first pitch was thrown at chilly Rangers Ballpark, there was even more negative news on the Sox' injury front.
Scheduled starter Jake Peavy was scratched with back spasms, forcing converted reliever Hector Santiago to pitch one day earlier than originally scheduled.
Santiago was moved to the rotation after Gavin Floyd suffered what was originally diagnosed as a flexor strain in his right arm during Saturday's outing against Tampa Bay at U.S. Cellular Field.
But after Thursday night's game, Floyd told reporters he had another series of tests in Texas Tuesday, which revealed a tear in the flexor muscle in his right elbow and an unstable ulnar collateral ligament.
Surgery is an option, but Floyd will meet with one more doctor in New York on Monday before a decision is made.
The 30-year-old pitcher has been on the DL three times with elbow issues since July of last season, and it looks like the latest setback is going to keep Floyd on the sidelines much longer, possibly the season.
“You keep getting a different opinion just to make sure you have all your bases covered,” White Sox manager Robin Ventura told reporters in Texas. “I think for him it's the comfort of knowing he's doing the right thing, getting enough opinions from experts. I'm not an expert. I'm going to let them kind of figure that out. Ultimately, it's his decision.”
As for Peavy, he's hoping the back spasms subside in time to pitch this weekend.
“I just can't get it to turn loose at all to make anywhere close to the movements I'll have to make,” Peavy told reporters. “There's really no way for me. If there was any way for me to pitch, I'd promise you I would. It's a huge bummer not to take your turn.”
With snow in the Kansas City area, where the Sox are scheduled to play a three-game weekend series against the Royals, Ventura is taking a wait-and-see approach on Peavy's return.
“The way things are going for us right now, it's not time to start chancing it,” Ventura said. “Late in the year you can probably do that. I don't think Peavy would be able to go (Friday). It looks more like Saturday or Sunday.”
There was some positive news on the injury front Thursday — John Danks (shoulder) made his first minor-league rehab start and earned the win after pitching 7 innings and allowing 2 runs on 5 hits for Class AA Birmingham.
But on the major-league side, Peavy and outfielder Dewayne Wise (stiff neck) were ruled out before Thursday's game, which didn't look promising for the White Sox.
That was before Santiago (1-1) stepped up and pitched 5 innings, allowing just 1 run on 2 hits.
Trailing 1-0 in the sixth inning, catcher Tyler Flowers decided the outcome with a 3-run homer on a hanging curveball from Rangers starter Justin Grimm.
Making the most with the players that are healthy, the White Sox took 2 of 3 from Texas and won their first series since doing the same to the Mariners April 5-7.
sgregor@dailyherald.com
White Sox vs. Kansas City Royals at Kauffman Stadium
TV: Comcast SportsNet-Plus Friday; WGN Saturday; Comcast SportsNet Sunday
Radio: WSCR 670-AM
Pitching matchups: The Sox' Dylan Axelrod (0-1) vs. Jeremy Guthrie (3-0) Friday at 7:10 p.m.; TBA vs. Wade Davis (2-2) Saturday at 6:10 p.m.; Jose Quintana (2-0) vs. James Shields (2-2) Sunday at 1:10 p.m.
At a glance: The Royals and Rays were snowed out Thursday at Kauffman Stadium, and bad weather remains in the Kansas City forecast Friday. The White Sox opened the season winning 2 of 3 against the Royals at U.S. Cellular Field. Since 2010, the Sox are 9-18 at K.C. Dating back to last season, Guthrie has a streak of 16 straight starts without a loss, tying him with Paul Splittoff for the franchise record. Axelrod moves up a day in the rotation after Jake Peavy was scratched Thursday with back spasms. and replaced by Hector Santiago.
Next: New York Mets at Citi Field, Tuesday-Wednesday
— Scot Gregor