Red-hot Thompson has to wait for regular playing time

Productive performances typically lead to increased playing time, so there was plenty of negative reaction from Chicago White Sox fans Wednesday when rookie outfielder Trayce Thompson was not in the starting lineup against the Red Sox.

Thompson sparked Tuesday night's comeback win over Boston by going 3-for-4 with 3 RBI, including a 2-run double in the seventh inning that decided the outcome.

Since arriving from Class AAA Charlotte in early August, Thompson has played in 11 games with the White Sox and is batting .522 (12-for-23) with 2 home runs and 5 RBI.

Instead of starting Thompson again Wednesday, manager Robin Ventura had the rookie on the bench and Adam LaRoche was the Sox' designated hitter.

When Thompson has started for the White Sox, one of the their three regular outfielders - Melky Cabrera, Avisail Garcia or Adam Eaton - has moved to DH while LaRoche sat out.

Thompson is a right-handed hitter, and Wednesday's Red Sox starter, Rick Porcello, is right-handed. LaRoche hits left-handed and Ventura liked the matchup.

Ventura also likes what Thompson has been doing.

"(Thompson) will get time, but for today you like this matchup and we feel good about it," Ventura said. "And that's what you go with. You're not afraid of putting him in there. It's just you like the matchups that you see."

Ventura said Thompson will be back in the starting lineup Thursday night against the Mariners, who are starting lefty Roenis Elias.

In very limited time with the White Sox, Thompson is 10-for-17 with 2 homers and 5 RBI against left-handed pitchers and 2-for-6 against right-handers.

Thompson knows his status as a young major leaguer and isn't about to complain about playing time.

"I know I can hit righties, but it's Robin call," Thompson said. "I don't think about that at all, just try to do my thing and prepare like I'm playing. Even before the lineup comes out I still prepare like I'm playing. There's kind of a lot of situations where I come into the game later anyway so I'm always ready, I'm always ready to help contribute."

Minor matters:

After being sidelined for a month with a hamstring injury, Micah Johnson returned to Class AAA Charlotte Wednesday night.

Johnson led off for the Knights and was 1-for-3 with a walk. He his hitting .328 at Triple-A.

Johnson could rejoin the White Sox when rosters expand in September.

Erik Johnson is another candidate to join the Sox.

The right-handed starting pitcher is 11-8 at Charlotte and ranks first in the International League with 136 strikeouts (in 132⅔ innings) and ERA (2.37).