When Rodon returns to White Sox, will he be starter or reliever?
It was Carlos Rodon bobblehead day Saturday, but the White Sox's left-handed starting pitcher was not around to enjoy the promotion.
Rodon injured his elbow during a May 1 start against the Orioles at Guaranteed Rate Field. According to the Sox, Rodon had successful Tommy John surgery in Los Angeles Wednesday.
Having already come back from arthroscopic shoulder surgery, which he had near the end of the 2017 season, Rodon is now facing a much longer road to recovery.
The 26-year-old pitcher is expected to be back with the Sox next year at some point after the all-star break.
Given his injury history and heavy reliance on only two pitches - the fastball and slider - there has been some speculation Rodon goes to the bullpen when he does return.
White Sox general manager Rick Hahn anticipates Rodon returning in the same role.
"I think long-term he's still a starter," Hahn said. "I think he's very much a starter long-term. How he gets reintegrated into the big-league level during the 2020 season? It's too early to say."
Open and close:
The Tampa Bay Rays were the first team to use "openers" last season, basically tabbing relief pitchers to start games.
Other teams followed the lead to certain degrees, but White Sox manager Rick Renteria is not a fan of the strategy.
"For me, if you have an opener it's a bullpen day," Renteria said. "I think an opener, and this is just one man's opinion, speaks to the state of your pitching staff in general. Most people that are solidified in their starting rotation don't even think about it, to be honest."
With Carlos Rodon (elbow) and Manny Banuelos out with injuries, the Sox's rotation is far from being solid.
The White Sox still haven't named a starter for Monday at Houston, which was supposed to be Banuelos' turn.
"We're still talking about what we'll do with our game on Monday," Renteria said. "Obviously, somebody will pitch. If it wants to be considered an opener, in terms of a term, yeah, it could be an opener. We just haven't determined exactly where we're at yet."
Final steps:
It's looking more and more like the Sox are going to wait until Monday before activating left fielder Eloy Jimenez off the injured list.
Out since April 26, when he sprained his right ankle, Jimenez has been on a rehab assignment with Class AAA Charlotte since Tuesday.
"He's moving around very well," White Sox manager Rick Renteria said. "He's doing good. Whenever it is he rejoins us, he's been down for a little bit, we'll get him back in the lineup and then monitor how he's doing.
"I'm sure I won't run him out there 20 days in a row. We'll have to continue to make sure that we're doing the best we can to keep him healthy and moving forward."