Garcia's rehab assignment going well
Once thought to be out for the season with a shoulder injury, right fielder Avisail Garcia is now expected back in the White Sox' lineup in the next few days.
There was speculation it could be Saturday night, considering Garcia was not in Class AAA Charlotte's lineup Friday.
But the Sox confirmed Garcia's day off on his rehab assignment was already planned.
In 13 games with Charlotte, Garcia has a .340/.377/.460 hitting line that includes 1 home run and 3 RBI.
"It's getting closer," White Sox manager Robin Ventura said. "I think in spring training you'd probably have around 55-60 at-bats that you would feel comfortable with him, so he is getting closer. I know he's been playing a lot in the outfield so that's good news."
Garcia has 50 at-bats with Charlotte.
Cooper returns:
After missing the last two road trips and part of the last homestand due to a bout with vertigo, pitching coach Don Cooper was back with the Sox Friday.
"Going to therapy and doing a whole bunch of stuff, I actually feel a whole lot better," Cooper said. "I'm not 100 percent, but the doctor said I could come and be here and I can go to work. My balance is much better. My equilibrium is much better. Dizziness is much better."
Cooper also said he'll be good to go when the White Sox travel to New York for a three-game series against the Yankees next weekend.
Plate controversy:
Wednesday's controversial call at home plate that went against the White Sox and caused an animated Robin Ventura to be ejected was still a hot topic Friday.
Tyler Flowers clearly tagged out the Giants' Gregor Blanco, but he was called for blocking the plate and the ruling was reversed to safe.
"It needs to be tweaked," Ventura said of the rule. "Where will they go with it, I don't know, but obviously they need to tweak it somehow."
Pitching coach Don Cooper was still irate after watching the game on TV.
"We got (bleeped) in San Francisco," Cooper said. "That rule has got to be changed. It's ridiculous. The whole thing about getting replay is to get the play right. They had the (bleeping) thing right. He's out by 10 feet."