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White Sox' Johnson roughed up, sent down to Triple-A

Erik Johnson got the first crack at winning a job in the White Sox's starting rotation Thursday night after veteran John Danks was officially designated for assignment.

It didn't go well.

After laboring through 5 innings and allowing 4 runs on 8 hits and 3 walks while throwing 108 pitches in a marathon 7-3 loss to the Boston Red Sox at U.S. Cellular Field, Johnson was optioned back to Class AAA Charlotte.

The White Sox will make a corresponding roster move before tonight's game against the Twins.

"It was definitely a battle," Johnson said of his outing against the Red Sox. "Early in the game, I know I had a lot of success with my fastball. The first three innings were all punchouts on fastballs. The next two innings, they're a good hitting team with two strikes. They kept fouling pitches off, and I kept getting in deeper counts."

The 26-year-old Johnson has been with the Sox for brief stretches in each of the last four seasons, but he has yet to establish himself as a reliable arm.

He'll keep working at it.

"I know I have more to offer to this team, and I know I expect more out of myself," Johnson said. "The biggest thing I noticed coming here was the energy, commitment, the drive and the camaraderie among these guys.

"These guys show up day in and day out to put up (wins). I'm happy to help this team as best I can in any situation I can."

As for other options as the No. 5 starter, a source said White Sox vice president Kenny Williams will be in Arizona today for the Tim Lincecum showcase, but so will at least 20 other major-league teams.

The Sox might give Miguel Gonzalez another look.

Signed to a minor-league deal in early April, Gonzalez came up from Charlotte and started at Toronto on April 25. The Jays roughed up the 31-year-old veteran for 5 runs on 11 hits in 5⅓ innings.

Gonzalez was sent back to Charlotte, and he was hit in the head by a line drive in Sunday's start against Toledo. It was a glancing blow, and Gonzalez was able to return to the mound Wednesday, allowing 2 runs on 8 hits in 5⅔ innings against Columbus.

Jacob Turner, who is 2-0 with a 3.04 ERA in 5 starts for Charlotte, is another starting option for the White Sox.

Garcia returns:

After missing four games with a right hamstring injury, designated hitter Avisail Garcia was back in the Sox's lineup Thursday night.

"It's kind of boring," Garcia said of sitting out. "I've just got to have fun and cheer for the guys, but it's better when I play. I don't like to be in the clubhouse watching the game."

Garcia continued to heat up after a slow start. He led off the fourth inning with a home run and singled in the fifth.

Roster move:

Before the game, the White Sox placed relief pitcher Jake Petricka on the disabled list with a right hip impingement.

Tommy Kahnle came up from Charlotte to take Petricka's roster spot.

Sox sign local product:

The White Sox purchased the contract of Schaumburg Boomers outfielder Kyle Ruchim.

In 60 games with Schaumburg last season, Ruchim batted .304.

A Buffalo Grove product, Ruchim went on to earn All-Big Ten honors at Northwestern.

"We will miss Kyle's presence both on and off the field, but couldn't be happier for him at the same time," Boomers general manager Pete Laven said. "We look forward to watching him progress in the White Sox organization."

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