White Sox ace Sale ruled out for season opener

When White Sox ace starting pitcher Chris Sale fractured his right foot in an off-field accident Feb. 27, he was ruled out for three weeks.

Sale is just more than a week away from resuming baseball activities, but, as expected, he officially was scratched from starting the April 6 season opener at Kansas City.

"We're going to take him on a little slower road, but it looks like he could make the April 12 start," Sox executive vice president Kenny Williams said Wednesday on MLB Network. "Now, whether we're going to want him to make that start would be dependent on just how well he comes along.

"But all signs are pointing upward right now. And Chris is a guy who wants to be out on the mound, so if it's not that (April) 12th start, we'll fit him into the rotation shortly after that."

If the signs remain positive, Sale won't be on the disabled list when the season starts.

The White Sox play three games at Kansas City (April 6, 8-9) and open at home against the Twins on April 10.

Sale is on track to pitch the third game against Minnesota, on Sunday afternoon at U.S. Cellular Field.

With Sale out for the season opener, Jeff Samardzija or Jose Quintana are the candidates to start against Kansas City on April 6.

As for top prospect Carlos Rodon, who pitched 2⅓ innings Wednesday against Texas and allowed 3 runs on 5 hits, Williams said he has a chance to break training camp in the Sox' rotation.

"The way he's come out here, he looks like a big-leaguer," Williams said. "A lot of times you get guys out of the draft, their next year their eyes are wide open coming into major-league camp.

"We think we have a chance to do something special this year, so our April wins are going to be just as important as our September wins. Just like we thought he'd be coming out of college, he's been impressive."

Comedy central:

The White Sox' exhibition game against the San Francisco Giants has been pushed back to 6 p.m. Chicago time to accommodate actor Will Ferrell, who plans to play nine positions at multiple Cactus League locations Thursday and benefit Cancer for College.

Ferrell is scheduled to be the White Sox' designated hitter.

"Hopefully he'll help us," manager Robin Ventura jokingly told reporters. "It's a good thing for major-league baseball, raising some money for a good cause. It will be fun."