Injured Fukudome likely headed to DL
After signing a $500,000 contract with the White Sox just before spring training, Kosuke Fukudome was not expected to make much of an impact.
He hasn’t, not that it’s entirely Fukudome’s fault.
For the most part, Dayan Vicideo, Alejandro De Aza and Alex Rios have all been playing at high levels as the Sox’ starting outfielders, and Fukudome hasn’t had much of a chance to play.
Fukudome was in the lineup Sunday, but he came out in the third inning with a strained right ribcage and is likely headed to the disabled list.
“Kosuke’s still not doing that great with the ribs, so we’ll see how that goes,” manager Robin Ventura said.
If Fukudome goes on the DL, the Sox have some replacement options in the minor leagues.
Dan Johnson has been hitting all season at Class AAA Charlotte, and he ranks among International league leaders with 14 home runs and 45 RBI. Johnson’s batting .281.
Jordan Danks is another intriguing candidate.
The younger brother of Sox starter John Danks, Jordan is batting .302 at Charlotte. He hit his ninth home run in Wednesday night’s 5-1 win over Toledo, upping his RBI total to 28.
Neither Johnson nor Danks are on the White Sox’ 40-man roster, which stands at 37 after Charlotte infielder Ozzie Martinez was outrighted Wednesday.
It’s a wrap:The Sox completed their draft Wednesday, and wound up taking 41 players. Twelve come right out of high school.#147;We certainly wanted to address getting a little bit younger,#148; said Doug Laumann, the Sox#146; director of amateur scouting. #147;Some of our past drafts, we#146;ve taken some older guys to supplement some of the things we have going on at the big-league level. We#146;ve had some success doing that. We#146;ve got some guys obviously now in the big leagues that are contributing to our team.#147;But at the same time it might have come at the expense of sacrificing some guys at the lower levels, and we wanted to address that this year.#148;In the 33rd round Wednesday, the White Sox drafted Stevenson High School pitcher Jon Savarise. His father, Terry Savarise, is the Sox#146; senior vice president of stadium operations.Ready to go:John Danks (sore shoulder) threw his final side session Wednesday and is ready to head out on a rehab assignment.The left-hander should pitch in the minor leagues early next week and be ready to come off the disabled list if all goes well.#147;It went great,#148; Danks said after throwing Wednesday. #147;This was leaps and bounds from where we were just the last time. I threw all four pitches pain-free for strikes and I#146;m ready to go, man. It#146;s been a long time now.#148;BBA31392425Toronto Blue Jays Rajai Davis steals second, his second steal of the game, as Chicago White Sox shortstop Alexei Ramirez takes a throw from catcher A.J. Pierzynski during the fifth inning of a baseball game, Wednesday, June 6, 2012, in Chicago. Associated PressBBA