Another hole to fill in Chicago White Sox's starting rotation
Next man up.
Like every other major-league team in this short season, the White Sox have been frequently tapping their depth chart due to injuries and/or ineffective performances.
The Sox are currently staring at two holes in their starting rotation, prompting this question: Are there any arms left to call up?
Still pondering a replacement for Reynaldo Lopez, who was optioned to their Schaumburg training facility last Thursday, the White Sox now have to find a spot starter for Dallas Keuchel.
Lifted after 5 innings in his last outing, Sunday at Kansas City, Keuchel is going to miss his next scheduled start.
Keuchel is dealing with back soreness, but manager Rick Renteria said holding the 32-year-old lefty out of Saturday's game against the Tigers at Guaranteed Rate Field is not a major concern.
"He's out there playing catch," Renteria said late Wednesday afternoon in Pittsburgh before the Sox wrapped up a two-game series against the Pirates. "Out of an abundance of caution, we're going to skip him and get him ready for the Minnesota series.
"He actually came into the office today, said he was feeling better. So he's going to go out there, play some catch, and we'll continue to treat him up and get him ready for his next start after we obviously skip this one."
Losing Keuchel (6-2) for more than one start would be a major setback for the White Sox. He ranks second in the American League in wins and ERA (2.19).
As it stands now, the Sox have Lucas Giolito ready to start against Detroit on Friday night following their final day off of the regular season Thursday.
Not only do they need to replace Keuchel, the White Sox's starter for Sunday also is TBA.
Lopez is an obvious candidate to come back from Schaumburg and pitch this weekend, but the right-hander has not been reliable this season.
In 4 starts, Lopez is 0-2 with an 8.38 ERA. He also missed a month after making an early exit in his first outing with shoulder inflammation.
"The whole thought when we first sent him out was we wanted him to work on his rhythm and timing," Renteria said of Lopez. "That's part of the reason we sent him out. I think he's continuing to improve. The reports have been good. At this point, if everyone feels he's doing well and improves the things he needs to in order to put himself back, we'll determine the appropriate action in terms of bringing him back."
Carlos Rodon also went down with a shoulder issue early in the season. The injury-prone lefty was building back up at Schaumburg but is currently sidelined with back soreness.
"As far as Los is concerned, get him back on a throwing program and we'll see where he's at," Renteria said. "Continue to progress him. I can't put a certain date in terms of his return, but we'll put him back on track and hopefully allow him to develop and grow his ability to get on the mound and possibly, you know, if everything works out, have him help us out here down the road."
Gio Gonzalez (groin) is back from the injured list and he's a proven starter, but the veteran left-hander is only built up enough to pitch 2 innings.