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Like Samardzija, Sale drops appeal of five-game suspension

On Wednesday, White Sox starting pitcher Jeff Samardzija dropped his appeal and started serving a five-game suspension for his involvement in an April 23 brawl against the Royals.

Chris Sale followed suit Thursday and started serving his five-game suspension.

Samardzija is lined up to start Monday's series opener at Milwaukee, with Sale pitching against the Brewers on Tuesday night.

Over his last 2 starts, Sale has struggled while allowing 13 earned runs on 16 hits and 7 walks in 8⅓ innings.

Against the Tigers on Wednesday night at U.S. Cellular Field, Sale gave up 5 runs on 7 hits in 5⅓ innings. He also matched his career high with 5 walks.

"I think it was just one of those days, you know, he just didn't have a good feel, good rhythm, tempo, those kinds of things," said White Sox catcher Tyler Flowers. "He missed a lot of spots. He's usually pretty money going in on righties and he made a few mistakes there. Armside is a little bit tougher for him and we missed a lot armside when we were trying to go out there. I just think it's an off day for him."

Sale is not allowed to be with the White Sox when they are playing, but he can come in and do his work before the games start.

"There is probably something there," Sox manager Robin Ventura said of his ace starter's recent struggles. "We'll go look at it on video and see if there's something there that's sticking out that is abnormal for him. But there is a trust that is still there. You can tell by his velocity and his changeup that he's still Chris Sale. There might be something that we can tweak and I'm sure he and Coop (pitching coach Don Cooper) will get in there and take a look at it."

Comeback trail:

Limited to 2 relief appearances in 2014 because of a hip injury and season-ending elbow surgery in July, Nate Jones is hoping to be back in the White Sox' bullpen around the all-star break.

Jones takes a big step Friday when he throws in front of the Sox' staff.

"It's like I'm finally seeing a little bit of the light," Jones said. "I'm trying not to get too far ahead of myself, but I've been throwing off the mound without pain and that's a huge accomplishment from last year."

Jones will report back to extended spring training in Glendale, Ariz., after Friday's session and soon hopes to got out on a minor-league rehabilitation assignment.

"Right now he's just here," manager Robin Ventura said. "It's nice to see him, but the plan is a ways away for him to join us. Right now the plan is in (trainer) Herm (Schneider's) hands and they have a plan for him to go out and throw. Basically. I just see him working in the training room. It's a ways away."

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