Lopez sharp in first start of season for Chicago White Sox

When it comes to Chicago White Sox's starting rotation of the future, it's not like Reynaldo Lopez is completely lost in the shuffle.

At the same time, most of the talk throughout spring training focused on Lucas Giolito's impressive showing in the Sox's rotation late last season and the anticipated arrival of future starters such as Michael Kopech, Alec Hansen, Dylan Cease and Dane Dunning.

When Lopez talked in the early days of training camp, he didn't appear overly concerned about his future with the White Sox.

"To strike out more than 200 batters, pitch 200 innings and make all my starts," Lopez said through a translator when asked about his goals for the season.

While there is little doubt Lopez has a major-league arm and can run his fastball up to 100 mph, there were some lingering questions.

Could Lopez be efficient enough to manage his pitch count and get to 200 innings? In 8 starts last season after joining the Sox from Class AAA Charlotte, the right-hander only made it to the seventh inning two times.

Lopez did have 30 strikeouts in 47⅔ innings, but he also issued 14 walks.

"My goal is to work on my command, the command of my pitches, and try to improve some of the new pitches I'm incorporating into my repertoire," Lopez said.

In his first start of the season Monday night, Lopez showed he has the talent to stick in the White Sox's rotation, this year and down the line.

Lopez pitched 6 innings in a 4-2 loss to the Blue Jays at Toronto and allowed just 1 run on 2 hits and 2 walks. The 24-year-old starter also had 6 strikeouts.

"Lopey gave us a very good outing," Sox manager Rick Renteria said. "He kept us in the ballgame."

Catcher Welington Castillo supplied all of the offense with a pair of home runs, the second putting the Sox in front 2-1 in the seventh inning.

In the bottom of the sixth, Josh Donaldson hit a solo homer off Lopez.

Done for the night when his pitch count reached 100, Renteria called on Luis Avilan in the seventh inning.

After the left-handed reliever issued a one-out walk to Curtis Granderson, Danny Farquhar came out of the Sox's bullpen and gave up a 2-run homer to Russell Martin.

Aledmys Diaz connected for another home run off Farquhar leading off the eighth inning to close out the scoring.