Whatever his role, White Sox’ Sale just wants to pitch
Apparently, Chris Sale can do it all.
Less than a year out of college, the White Sox’ 21-year-old lefty can start, pitch in middle relief and close games.
And to kick off this weekend’s SoxFest festivities, Sale was making sales calls from U.S. Cellular Field on Thursday.
Taking a break from hawking tickets, Sale talked about his undetermined role this season.
Is he going to be in the Sox’ rotation? Or is he going to pitch out of the bullpen, most likely in the ninth inning?
“To be totally honest, to me it doesn’t really matter,” Sale said. “I just want to pitch. I’ve been playing baseball my entire life, so my main goal is to just pitch. Whether it’s starting, relieving, middle relief, long relief, closing, it doesn’t matter.”
Manager Ozzie Guillen said it’s too early to name a closer, but Sale is definitely in the mix after going 2-1 with a 1.93 ERA and saving four games in as many tries last year.
And while he is still viewed as a starter for the Sox in the future, there has been plenty of speculation that Sale is going to open this season in the rotation if Jake Peavy (detached lat muscle) is not ready to go in April.
“When I left Chicago (at the end of last season), Coop (pitching coach Don Cooper) told me to come back ready to go as a starter,” said Sale, the White Sox’ first-round draft pick last June. “If they need me as a starter, I’m ready to go. If they need me in the pen, I’m a little ahead of schedule.”
Guillen said long reliever Tony Pena could fill in for Peavy if necessary.
“Coop and (trainer) Herm (Schneider) say (Peavy’s) improved a lot, but I have to go with Plan B,” Guillen said. “Pena’s on my mind. We shouldn’t rush Jake and we don’t have to.”
New role?With Brent Morel and Mark Teahen in the mix at third base and Paul Konerko and Adam Dunn set at first, Dayan Viciedo should get plenty of playing time in right and left field during spring training.#147;He played right field for the Cuban (national) team,#148; manager Ozzie Guillen said. #147;We have to find out where this kid#146;s going to play.#148;Lovie fanOzzie Guillen said he doesn#146;t know much about the NFL, but he picked the Bears to beat the Packers in Sunday#146;s NFC title game.Guillen has long been a big supporter of Bears coach Lovie Smith.#147;I#146;m rooting for Lovie,#148; Guillen said. #147;I#146;m pulling for Lovie big time because I hope Lovie proves everybody in this town wrong. I shared those pants. It#146;s not fair when you#146;re winning and winning and winning and people call you lucky.#147;All the negative stuff, come on. Grow up. This guy continues to win games and a few people are still on his butt. #145;Oh, they win because he#146;s lucky.#146; Well, he wins because he wins.#148;