Sox send Johnson (6.46 ERA) down to AAA
The White Sox' struggling pitching staff has been changing on a regular basis so far this season.
On Saturday, the Sox announced Scott Carroll is coming up from Class AAA Charlotte to start Sunday's game against Tampa Bay. After a 4-0 loss to the Rays, they also optioned ineffective starter Erik Johnson (1-1, 6.46 ERA) to Charlotte.
"He just needs to go and get his stuff back, get that competitive stuff that we've seen before," manager Robin Ventura said. "He can work on it down there."
In 5 starts with the White Sox this season, high pitch counts and walks plagued Johnson.
"No one expects to go down," he said. "I think it's definitely a privilege to be in the big leagues and it's a privilege to play here and you've got to bring it every day. Right now, what I'm doing is not what they want, or not what gets results out there."
Carroll, who had Tommy John surgery following the 2012 season, is 3-1 with a 1.47 ERA in 4 starts for Charlotte this season.
"He's doing pretty good down in Triple-A," Ventura said. "For us, it's give the guy a shot."
Off night:
Starter John Danks pitched well enough to keep the Sox in the game Saturday, but the left-hander wasn't happy about allowing 4 runs on 7 hits and 4 walks in 5⅔ innings while throwing 123 pitches.
"I had moments where I was able to throw only one of four (pitches) over the plate, but none nearly consistently enough," Danks said. "It's hard to pitch 2-0, 3-1 to these guys. It's something we're definitely going to have to work on."
Gillaspie to DL:
After missing four straight games with a sore left thumb, third baseman Conor Gillaspie landed on the 15-day disabled list Saturday, retroactive to April 22.
Gillaspie was off to a strong start with a .302 batting average and 12 RBI in 16 games.
"Well, I can't swing a bat," Gillaspie said. "It's unfortunate. It's definitely frustrating but, I mean, I don't have very many other options. I can't keep putting guys on our team in the situation where it's, you never know if I can play or not. That's just the way it is."
Noesi joins bullpen:
Claimed off waivers from the Rangers on Friday after allowing 10 earned runs over 6⅓ innings in 5 appearances this season, Hector Noesi was added to the White Sox' bullpen before Saturday's game against the Rays.
Noesi blamed the poor start to the season on his release point. He didn't have to wait around long for his Sox debut, and the right-hander pitched 1⅓ scoreless innings in relief of starter John Danks on Saturday.