‘Bummed’ Danks on DL

It’s shaping up as a forgettable season for Johns Danks.

After signing a five-year, $65 million contract Dec. 29, Danks stumbled out to a 2-4 start and saw his ERA swell to 6.51 after a rocky May 3 outing against the Indians at U.S. Cellular Field.

Danks was closing out the month on a much more positive note, and the 27-year-old lefty looked a lot like his old self while pitching 6 scoreless innings against the Cubs on Saturday at Wrigley Field.

But on Thursday, the day before his scheduled start against the first-place Indians, Danks landed on the 15-day disabled list with soreness in the back of his throwing shoulder.

“I was hoping that (Cubs outing) would kind of be the start to jumpstart my season,” Danks said. “Now, here we are. It seems like if it’s not one thing, it’s something else at this point. I’m just trying to stay positive. I’m going to get all my work in and get healthy and I’ll be rested up for June on.”

The DL move is retroactive to May 20, and Danks is expected to miss 2 starts and be back on the mound June 5 against the Blue Jays.

Left-hander Jose Quintana, who pitched 5 scoreless innings of relief at Cleveland on May 7, is coming up from Class AAA Charlotte to take Danks’ spot. He’ll start against the Indians on Friday night at U.S. Cellular Field.

Danks initially wanted to pitch with the shoulder soreness, but the Sox take pride in shutting down players before they sustain more significant damage.

“It’s nothing serious,” manager Robin Ventura said of Danks’ shoulder ailment. “We’re just getting out in front of it and making sure we take care of him.”

Ventura said he lifted Danks after he threw just 83 pitches against the Cubs because of fatigue issues.

On Sunday, Danks noticed some unusual soreness.

“I went the next day and tried to play catch and I felt a little more sore than I’m used to, and I’m sore in a place I’m not used to being sore,” Danks said. “That was the only reason I said anything and it turns out it’s a good thing I did.”

Danks had an MRI on Thursday morning.

“I’m not a doctor,” Danks said when asked for injury specifics. “I have no idea. Sub-scap is the word I keep hearing. So whatever that means, I guess it’s the back of the shoulder. It’s obviously sore and soreness I’ve never had before, which is why I mentioned it.

“I’m bummed about it, but at the same time I’m looking forward to getting healthy and maybe that will … I don’t know. I’ll be well rested for the second part of the season.”

On May 4, the White Sox announced starting pitcher Chris Sale was being removed from the rotation because of elbow tightness and discomfort.

The Sox were going to move Sale to the closer’s role for the rest of the season, but he was back starting May 12.

Sale said his elbow is no longer an issue, and the White Sox are hoping Danks also benefits from a break.

“It’s nothing serious, but nothing we really want to mess with this early in the season,” Ventura said. “Nothing is torn or anything like that. We’re just giving him time.”

sgregor@dailyherald.com