Sox see a lot to like in Carroll so far
Scott Carroll makes his third start for the White Sox Thursday night against the Cubs at U.S. Cellular Field. Assistant general manager Buddy Bell will be watching closely.
When the Cincinnati Reds released Carroll late in the 2012 season after he made 25 relief appearances for Class AAA Louisville and went 2-3 with a 5.90 ERA, Bell made a phone call.
"We have reports on everybody, so when guys get released and we think they have a chance we look into it," Buddy Bell said. "We call whoever has been close to them. My son David managed him in Louisville. Scott was sort of getting pushed out by some younger guys, and (David) just mentioned to me, 'This guy's got good stuff, he's a great kid, very athletic, he competes.'"
The Sox signed Carroll, and he finished the remainder of the '12 season with Class AA Birmingham and AAA Charlotte before having Tommy John surgery.
Carroll was back on the mound last year, and he split an abbreviated season between Advanced Rookie Bristol and Birmingham. The 29-year-old pitcher opened the current season with Charlotte and was promoted to the White Sox after going 3-1 with a 1.57 ERA in 4 starts.
In his first two starts with the Sox, Carroll has allowed only 1 earned run in 13.1 innings.
"I had seen Scott before and I always liked his stuff," Bell said. "His stuff now is no surprise. His stuff was similar to this a few years ago before he got hurt. You're always looking for something like this."
Gillaspie returns:
Prior to Wednesday night's game, third baseman Conor Gillaspie was reinstated from the 15-day disabled list and outfielder Jordan Danks was optioned to Class AAA Charlotte.
Gillaspie was out with a sore left hand. He played in 3 rehab games with Charlotte and was 2-for-12 with a solo home run.
"Believe it or not, it's better than it's been for a month and a half," Gillaspie said of this hand. "It wasn't necessarily one thing in particular that put me on the DL. It was just kind of a combination of three to four weeks of getting jammed constantly. Hopefully we can get some weather similar to what we have today from here on out. I think that's going to play a big part in keeping the stinging down when I do hit it."
Semien survives:
There was some speculation that Marcus Semien was going to the odd-man out when Conor Gillaspie returned, but the versatile infielder is still on the 25-man roster.
Semien is batting .217, but all 3 of his home runs have put the Sox ahead in the seventh inning or later and he also hit the game-winning double in the 12th inning against the Cubs Monday night at Wrigley Field.
Manager Robin Ventura said Semien won't be sitting around on the bench watching.
"Sem can play quite a few positions (third base, shortstop, second)," Ventura said. "I think there's enough for him to be in the mix and get him some opportunities to still be up here and get at-bats and help us win. I think he deserves to be up here the way he's been playing. We'll find a way to play him."