With suspensions looming, Rodon likely to get start for Sox
Jeff Samardzija is still scheduled to start against the Orioles on Tuesday night in Baltimore, and Chris Sale is still scheduled to start Wednesday.
Both White Sox pitchers were given five-game suspensions for their actions in Thursday night's brawl with the Kansas City Royals.
Samardzija and Sale are appealing Major League Baseball's decision, but assuming they do have to eventually sit out, Carlos Rodon is a likely replacement.
"He definitely (is) in the equation of getting a start out of one of these," manager Robin Ventura said.
Rodon had his contract purchased from Class AAA Charlotte on April 20, and the prized prospect made his first major-league appearance the next day against the Cleveland Indians.
It did not go well, as Rodon came out of the bullpen and allowed 2 runs on 3 hits and 3 walks in 2⅓ innings. The 22-year-old lefty admitted he was a little too fired up in the debut game.
Rodon eventually is going to be a starter for the Sox, and if the first one is in place of Samardzija or Sale, so be it.
"If I have to make a start I'll make a start whenever that is," said Rodon, who made 2 starts with Class AAA Charlotte before joining the White Sox as a reliever. "I'll find out if that happens. I threw 60 pitches last time out (vs. Cleveland) and the time before that I threw about 87, 88. I can handle that load."
Albers injured:
Sox relief pitcher Matt Albers had a heavy bandage on his right hand Sunday, and he is on the disabled list with a fractured pinkie. Albers, expected to miss at least three weeks, was injured in Thursday's brawl.
"All the bullpens kind of came in at the same time and you know everything was kind of happening so fast," he said. "Then right after it was all over, I felt that something wasn't right, but I didn't think it was that bad. Then I came in the next day and obviously was in pretty good pain, so I got an X-ray and it was a broken finger."
Albers has a 1.59 ERA in 4 appearances this season.
"That's kind of why it makes it frustrating," he said. "My shoulder from last year feels good, healthy. I feel like I'm throwing the ball well and to have this happen it's kind of frustrating."
Roster moves:
With Matt Albers on the DL, the White Sox purchased right-handed pitcher Scott Carroll's contract from Class AAA Charlotte. Carroll, who pitched in 26 games with the Sox last season, was 1-1 with a 2.45 ERA in 3 starts with Charlotte this year.
To clear a spot for Carroll on the 40-man roster, left-handed pitcher Eric Surkamp was designated for assignment.
The White Sox were allowed to add an extra player for Sunday's second game against the Royals, and reliever Daniel Webb came up from Charlotte. The right-hander didn't pitch and was sent back down after the game.