White Sox call up their big draft pick: Carlos Rodon
Last week it was can't-miss top prospect Kris Bryant joining the Cubs.
This week it's the White Sox' turn.
Not long after a 9-1 loss Sunday at Detroit, Fox Sports' Ken Rosenthal reported the Sox were calling up Carlos Rodon from Class AAA Charlotte. A White Sox source confirmed the story, and Rodon will be at U.S. Cellular Field Monday.
Following the same path as current ace Chris Sale and former workhorse starter Mark Buehrle, Rodon is expected to pitch out of the bullpen when he first joins the team. How long that lasts remains to be seen, but Rodon has been viewed as a front-of-the-rotation starter since the Sox drafted him with the No. 3 overall pick last June.
Rodon made 2 starts at Class AAA Charlotte this season and was 1-0 while allowing 4 earned runs in 10 innings (3.60 ERA). The 22-year-old left-hander also had 10 strikeouts.
Rodon was even better in spring training, going 2-0 with a 3.06 ERA in 6 Cactus League appearances (5 starts) while striking out 21 in 17⅔ innings.
With relief pitcher Jake Petricka (sore right forearm) also scheduled to be activated off the disabled list Monday, the White Sox appear to have two roster moves coming before opening a seven-game homestand against Cleveland.
Next White Sox series
White Sox vs. Cleveland Indians at U.S. Cellular Field
TV: WPWR today; Comcast SportsNet Tuesday-Wednesday
Radio: WSCR 670-AM
Pitching matchups: The Sox' John Danks (0-2) vs. Carlos Carrasco (1-1) today at 7:10 p.m.; Hector Noesi (0-1) vs. Trevor Bauer (1-0) Tuesday at 7:10 p.m.; Jeff Samardzija (0-1) vs. Corey Kluber (0-1) Wednesday at 1:10 p.m.
At a glance: The White Sox are coming off a 2-3 road trip to Cleveland and Detroit. They split a two-game series vs. the Indians last week to open the trip. A Melky Cabrera line drive hit Carrasco in the jaw and knocked the right-hander out of Tuesday's game in the first inning, but he avoided serious injury and returns for Cleveland in the opener. Carlos Rodon joins the Sox tonight and he'll apparently begin his major-league career as a relief pitcher. Danks is in danger of losing his starting job to Rodon after dropping his first two starts while allowing 8 runs in 10⅓ innings (6.97 ERA). The Indians lost 2 of 3 at Minnesota over the weekend.
Next: Kansas City Royals at U.S. Cellular Field, Thursday-Sunday
- Scot Gregor