Cease on remarkable roll, but he won't join White Sox anytime soon
As he eases into the season with Class AAA Charlotte, Dylan Cease is already showing some impressive consistency.
The White Sox's top pitching prospect threw 5 scoreless innings in his first outing of the year, and Cease followed up with 5 more scoreless innings in Sunday's start at Indianapolis.
For the year, the 23-year-old righty has allowed 5 hits over 10 innings to go with 9 strikeouts and 1 walk. Dating back to last season, which he finished at Double-A Birmingham, Cease has pitched 15 consecutive scoreless innings.
Over his last 8 starts dating back to 2018, he has allowed only 1 earned run in 40⅔ innings and is 5-0 with a 0.78 ERA and 80 strikeouts in 57⅔ innings in his last 11.
Cease would clearly be a welcome addition to the Sox's rotation right now, but he's likely to remain with Charlotte through at least July.
"I think Dylan has to continue getting innings under his belt," White Sox manager Rick Renteria said. "No one's going to rush this thing. I think when everybody believes he's ready to join us, he'll be here."
Now is the time:
It's no secret the White Sox are in their third year of a rebuild, but don't try selling Yonder Alonso on the plan.
Acquired from the Indians in a Dec. 15 trade, Alonso is a 32-year-old first baseman/designated hitter who is very likely in his one and only season with the Sox and trying to win now.
"They keep talking about rebuilding and things like that but at some point the time is now, you know?" Alonso said. "You can't be thinking about rebuilding and learning from our failures and things like that. Every day we learn, even if we win. Every day is a chance to win a ballgame, a good opportunity and we have to take it in full stride and run with it."
Getting closer:
Signed to a one-year, $4 million contract in January, outfielder Jon Jay has yet to play in a game after being sidelined with a sore hip and groin in spring training.
"He's progressing," manager Rick Renteria said. "He's doing better."
Jay was able to do some throwing Monday, and he expected to start hitting off a tee. When he is ready to play, Jay's headed for a minor-league rehab assignment before he joins the White Sox.