Chicago White Sox scratch Rodon from start against Cleveland
Projecting a future starting five that looks very good with Lucas Giolito, Reynaldo Lopez, Michael Kopech and Alec Hansen, Chicago White Sox manager Rick Renteria was asked if Carlos Rodon slots in as the ace of the rotation.
"He came in just like (Chris) Sale did, coming out of the pen, and then he got into the rotation," Renteria said. "He has been around, has some pretty good stuff to show on the mound. He's going to be the senior of these guys moving forward, so it's almost by default.
"But hopefully it's also by example, by the way he goes about his business every time he gets the baseball, and hopefully these guys follow suit."
In his third season with the Sox, Rodon missed most of spring training and the first three months with bursitis in his left biceps.
Scheduled to start against Cleveland on Thursday night at Guaranteed Rate Field, Rodon was scratched just before first pitch with stiffness in his left shoulder. He will be re-examined Friday.
"Just didn't feel right warming up," Rodon said. "I can't really put a finger on it. Just a day you just don't feel right and you know you don't want to compete when you're not at your best, you know?"
Mike Pelfrey filled in and gave up 7 runs on 8 hits and 3 walks in 4 innings while throwing 96 pitches.
Looking for its franchise-record 15th straight win, Cleveland accomplished the feat with an 11-2 decision over the White Sox.
Pelfrey was moved to the Sox's bullpen in early August, and the veteran right-hander pitched 2⅔ innings of relief against the Indians on Tuesday night, throwing 40 pitches.
Rob Brantly pitched the ninth inning, becoming the first White Sox catcher to ever pitch in a game, according to STATS. He allowed a solo home run to Erik Gonzalez.
"My heart was pounding," said Brantly, who last pitched in Little League. "The warmup pitchers were OK, but the first pitch I think I threw it maybe 40 feet. So that was a rough start, but once I threw a strike I kind of relaxed and got into the groove of it a little bit."
Starting nod:
After making 2 relief appearances since rejoining the White Sox from Class AAA Charlotte a week ago, Carson Fulmer is scheduled to start Sunday against the San Francisco Giants.
"His start this Sunday will be a tell," manager Rick Renteria said. "The times we use him to relieve will be a tell. In his heart, his desire is to be a starter. Most guys that end up becoming relievers at some point were starters first, but that story has yet to be written. We don't know yet what he's going to be."
Roster moves:
Relief pitcher Jake Petricka went on the 10-day disabled list with a strained right elbow.
The Sox also sent outfielder Willy Garcia (concussion) on a rehab assignment to low Class A Kannapolis, which is in the South Atlantic League playoffs. Out since July 31, Garcia started in right field for Kannapolis on Thursday night and was 1-for-3 with a walk.
Scouting report
White Sox vs. San Francisco Giants at Guaranteed Rate Field
TV: Comcast SportsNet Friday and Sunday; WGN Saturday
Radio: WLS 890-AM
Pitching matchups: The White Sox's Lucas Giolito (2-1) vs. Matt Moore (4-13) Friday at 7:10 p.m.; James Shields (2-6) vs. Jeff Samardzija (9-12) Saturday at 6:10 p.m.; Carson Fulmer (1-1) vs. Madison Bumgarner (3-7) Sunday at 1:10 p.m.
At a glance: The White Sox play San Francisco for the first time since 2014, when they were 3-1 vs. the Giants (2-0 at home). The Sox are 4-13 in interleague play this season. At 55-87, San Francisco has the second-worst record in the National League. The Giants haven't finished last in the NL West since 2007. Giolito has won his last 2 starts, allowing 1 run on 6 hits while striking out 14 in 14 innings. San Francisco second Joe Panik is 12-for-15 with 3 doubles, 1 home run and 5 RBI in his last three games.
Next: Kansas City Royals at Kauffman Stadium, Monday-Wednesday
- Scot Gregor