White Sox’ Danks to start rehab in 3, 4 weeks

White Sox pitcher John Danks could begin a rehabilitation assignment in three or four weeks after tests confirmed he has a mild muscle strain in his left shoulder.

Two MRIs on Monday showed that Danks has a mild Grade 1 strain of the subscapularis muscle in his left shoulder. There is no tendon or ligament damage and his labrum is intact.

“I guess it’s better news than it could have been,” Danks said. “I didn’t expect there to be much of anything. I knew I was still feeling it, but it is what it is. I’ll try to come back strong and help us win ballgames.”

The team said in a statement Tuesday that Danks’ condition has improved since his previous MRI on May 23. Danks will begin a rehabilitation and strengthening program on Friday and then advance to a rehab assignment in three to four weeks.

“Baseball keeps moving,” Chicago manager Robin Ventura said. “It’s not just him, but anybody that’s ever been on the DL, the game doesn’t stop for you. It’s for him to get healthy and for us to just focus on playing games and winning games.”

Danks, 3-4 with a 5.70 ERA, hasn’t pitched for the White Sox since May 19 against the Cubs. He went on the 15-day disabled list a few days later and figured he would be back by now.

He made a rehab start for Triple-A Charlotte on June 12 and again felt soreness. Now, he isn’t sure when he will return. Rookie Jose Quintana took his spot in the rotation and is at 2-1 with a 1.53 ERA in seven appearances, including five starts.

“I really don’t know,” Danks said, when asked when he might return. “We’re still trying to come up with a plan. As soon as I know something, I’ll let you know. But I don’t know if they’re going to have me go play catch next week or a couple weeks or tomorrow.”