Chicago White Sox's bullpen reeling
As much as I'd like to forget, I remember spring training in 1995.
With major leaguers still on strike from the '94 season, owners decided to carry on with "replacement" players.
That turned the spring of 1995 into a bizarre tryout camp, and one day in particular a bunch of sleep-depraved kids chugged in from Michigan, pulled a beat-up station wagon into the Chicago White Sox's complex in Sarasota, Florida, and asked me where to report.
Flash forward to the current season, and here come the flashbacks.
Every day, or so it seems, a new player reports to the Sox trying to prove he belongs. More often than not, it's a relief pitcher.
"We welcome everyone who is joining us after these changes have occurred," White Sox manager Rick Renteria said. "They know what's in front of them. If anything is to be said, we'll figure it out."
There's not much to say to Sox fans right now, expect keep your eyes on the future.
As for the present, general manager Rick Hahn traded left-handed relief pitcher Dan Jennings to Tampa Bay Thursday morning for minor-league first baseman Casey Gillaspie.
Anthony Swarzak was traded to Milwaukee on Wednesday, and David Robertson and Tommy Kahnle were dealt to the Yankees last week.
Add in Zach Putnam and Nate Jones being out for the season following elbow surgeries, and Jake Petricka is your lone White Sox reliever left from the beginning of the season.
Petricka, who has missed most of the year with a lat strain and elbow strain, is going to do his best to help new bullpen mates like Brad Goldberg, David Holberg, Gregory Infante, Juan Minaya and Aaron Bummer, who arrived from Class AAA Charlotte Thursday and was greeted by a Kyle Schwarber home run in his major-league debut.
In their last 100⅓ innings, Sox relievers have allowed 57 runs (5.11 ERA).
"I mean, it's the same game," Petricka said. "Just like if you're in the minors playing at Double-A, waiting for your call to go to Triple-A, and from Triple-A, the big leagues. The guys we got down in Triple-A and some already up here, it's not going to take long.
"Rick (Hahn's) been doing an amazing job with the rebuild, and I think it'll be quicker than anyone thinks."
That might be wishful thinking at this juncture, especially for a bullpen that is going to be taxed by a Sox rotation that has not been able to work deep into games at any point this season.
"There are certain things we can control for the most part," Renteria said. "What I have to control now is how we use these guys. They're going to get opportunities; they're showing everybody what they're capable of doing. They're also recognizing there are things they have to correct and improve on.
"Not every opportunity is going to be flawless, I can't say that. But we hope they give us a chance to minimize damage when we use all of our relievers in different situations."
While losing their third straight to the Cubs on Thursday night after winning Monday's interleague opener, the White Sox's highlight was Jose Abreu's 2 home runs.
"This guy, this man, has been continually gaining the respect of his teammates," Renteria said, lauding Abreu's leadership. "When little things happen or there's been change, I think he's taken a much more vocal role in communicating with his teammates. He's asserted himself extremely well."
Scouting report
White Sox vs. Cleveland Indians at Guaranteed Rate Field
TV: Comcast SportsNet Friday and Saturday; WGN Sunday
Radio: WLS 890-AM
Pitching matchups: The White Sox's Derek Holland (5-9) vs. Danny Salazar (3-5) Friday at 7:10 p.m.; Miguel Gonzalez (5-9) vs. Corey Kluber (8-3) Saturday at 6:10 p.m.; Carlos Rodon (1-4) vs. Josh Tomlin (7-9) Sunday at 1:10 p.m.
At a glance: After four straight games vs. the defending World Series champion Cubs, the schedule doesn't get much easier for the rebuilding White Sox. The defending American League champion Indians are in town this weekend, and Cleveland is 5-4 vs. the Sox this season. After a sluggish first half, the Indians have won seven in a row and finally are putting it all together. Cleveland ranks second in the AL with a 3.73 ERA and fourth with 487 runs scored. Holland is 1-6 with an 8.18 ERA and 17 home runs allowed in his last 10 starts.
Next: Toronto Blue Jays at Guaranteed Rate Field, Monday-Wednesday
— Scot Gregor