White Sox reliever Petricka back on DL
Limited to 9 games in 2016 before undergoing season-ending hip surgery, Chicago White Sox relief pitcher Jake Petricka was looking forward to a healthy, productive year.
Maybe next season.
During his outing against the Tigers in Tuesday's season opener, Petricka felt pain in his right side. On Thursday, he landed on the 10-day disabled list with a strained right lat.
"It's going to be a little bit," pitching coach Don Cooper said when asked how long Petricka is going to be sidelined. "The good news about however long it is, and we're not expecting him to be out for a three-month thing or anything like that, we've only got to get him back to two innings, so it doesn't take nearly as long as a starter."
Kahnle up:
With Jake Petricka on the DL, the Sox recalled Tommy Kahnle from Class AAA Charlotte to take his spot in the bullpen.
Kahnle pitched in 29 games with the White Sox last season and was 0-1 with a 2.63 ERA. In spring training, the 27-year-old righty pitched 7⅔ innings and allowed 6 runs (5 earned) on 9 hits and 3 walks.
"I could have done better," Kahnle said of his spring showing. "That's the whole reason I got sent down, to figure it out. My fastball command wasn't really there this spring. It was hit or miss. I had a sim game the other day and it felt like I found it again. Hopefully, I can run with it from there."
Pitching coach Don Cooper is expecting Kahnle to build off the end of last season, when he finished with 9⅓ scoreless innings in his final 10 outings.
"He's going to get another crack at it," Cooper said. "His arm doesn't belong in the minor leagues. The only thing between him and staying here forever is just throwing his fastball, his breaking ball, his changeup over the plate."
Kahnle pitched a scoreless ninth inning in Thursday's blowout win over Detroit.
Seeing Red:
The White Sox were rained out Wednesday, so pitching coach Don Cooper was able to watch Chris Sale made his debut for the Red Sox.
Traded by the White Sox to Boston in December, Sale pitched 7 scoreless innings against the Pirates.
"I did see Sale a little bit," Cooper said. "And it's hard to watch. It's actually hard to watch. He's still good."
Rotation change:
With two rainouts this week, although Monday's was made up on Tuesday, the Sox are going to keep new No. 1 starter Jose Quintana on regular rest.
Quintana pitches against the Twins on Sunday. Dylan Covey, who opened the season as the White Sox's No. 5 starter, might be sent to the minor leagues to get some work.
With another off day on Monday, the Sox won't need a fifth starter until April 15.