White Sox place Cease on IL with COVID-19 symptoms
Scheduled to take the mound against the Red Sox Friday night at Fenway Park, Dylan Cease's start is now in limbo.
Jumping on a pregame Zoom conference Wednesday afternoon, White Sox general manager Rick Hahn announced Cease is on the injured list but still might be able to pitch in the series opener against Boston.
"This is a precautionary move," Hahn said. "Dylan has not tested positive for COVID. However, out of an abundance of caution, or arguably the appropriate amount of caution, we are going to keep Dylan away from the club until he can be cleared based on the fact that he does have a couple of symptoms at this time."
Last season, outfielder Adam Engel was placed on the IL in a similar situation and was back with the Sox in two days.
"The length of Dylan's stay on the injured list is still to be determined," Hahn said. "We are obviously hoping as was the case one year ago with Engel, it will be a brief one. But this is why the list exists and we are going to utilize it to help protect the group."
In two starts this season, Cease has no record and a 3.86 ERA. The 25-year-old righty has given up 9 hits and 6 walks over 9⅓ innings and has 9 strikeouts.
If Cease is still on the IL Friday, the White Sox will likely have to go with a bullpen game. They recalled relief pitcher Zack Burdi from the Schaumburg training site to take Cease's roster spot.
"There are contingency plans," Hahn said. "We are going to keep them internal for the time being until we decide we have to actually utilize them."