Smith’s early exit in White Sox loss all about getting more rest
White Sox all-star rookie Shane Smith was pulled from the mound after just 3 innings in Friday's doubleheader opener against Cleveland, a 4-2 loss at Rate Field.
No cause for alarm, though. The Sox simply decided it was a good time to lighten his work load.
“He's had just normal rest the last few (games),” manager Will Venable said. “As we're trying to find ways to navigate the season with him, we just thought a shorter outing was appropriate today.”
Venable said the team will discuss in the next few days if they want Smith to pitch in the All-Star Game on Tuesday. With expanded rosters, there's no guarantee Smith will be called on to take the mound for the American League in Atlanta. But anything's possible. There could be other pitchers on the AL roster who are not available.
“If they give me the ball, I'm definitely going to throw,” Smith said Friday. “No matter what.”
The long-term goal is obviously to regain his early-season form. Through 13 starts, Smith posted a 2.37 ERA and was being mentioned in rookie of the year talk. In the last five outings, however, the ERA has been 11.78 ERA. He allowed 2 solo home runs in his 3 innings Friday.
“I felt good. I felt like it was probably the best step in the right direction so far,” Smith said. “Facing an eight out of nine lefty lineup, throwing the changeup for strikes early on. Maybe one too many curveballs that they were probably sitting on for the homer, but I'll live with that.
“Throwing the fastball for strikes, sitting on the outside corner for most of it, and then elevating kind of later in counts. If I can build on that right there, I think that puts me in the right direction.”
Smith talked about taking the field for the first time as an official all-star. He was named to the team last Sunday, during his start in Colorado.
“You have a little more confidence going out there, knowing that the league's players and coaches vote for you for that position,” Smith said. “Really excited is an understatement, just trying to get there and take one day at a time here. We still have games to play and I've still got to be a good teammate. But just really look forward to it.”
Smith was a Rule 5 draft pick from Milwaukee, and he pitched mostly in Double-A last season. So staying sharp for a full MLB season was bound to be challenging.
“Being in the big leagues for the first time is a lot to take in,” Smith said. “I took it in for a lot of it and maybe it caught up to me in the last month. But I think that's baseball and that's life. Really looking forward to putting a strong second half together.”
The White Sox offense managed just 2 hits against Cleveland starter Logan Allen and three relievers. One was a 2-run homer by Luis Robert Jr. in the second inning that evened the score 2-2.
First baseman Tim Elko left the game in the fourth inning due to a right knee sprain and was placed on the 10-day injured list between contests. The Sox called up Will Robertson, who was just acquired in a trade with Toronto.