Sox will start Sale against Yankees Thursday
Derek Jeter was supposed to be the headliner Thursday night when the White Sox and New York Yankees play the first of four games at U.S. Cellular Field.
There's been a change on the marquee.
The Sox announced Chris Sale is coming off the disabled list, and the ace left-hander gets the start against New York in the series opener.
Sale has been on the DL since April 18 with a flexor muscle strain, and the initial worry was elbow damage.
But after pitching 4 scoreless innings and striking out 11 in a rehab start for Class AAA Charlotte Friday, Sale has been insisting he's ready to return.
"I'm definitely ready," Sale told reporters Monday. "It's no fun sitting around watching games, especially watching other people fill in for you and not being able to pull your own weight. I signed up to pitch every fifth day and I haven't pitched in 35 days it feels like. So that stinks. There's nothing fun about that."
In 4 starts this season, Sale is 3-0 with a 2.30 ERA and 29 strikeouts in 27.1 innings. Opposing hitters are batting .168, and Sale has a dazzling 0.84 WHIP.
Sale will oppose Yankees right-hander David Phelps (1-0, 3.33 ERA) Thursday night.
The White Sox also announced they are expanding the "K Zone For Sale" to include Section 155 for all future Sale starts.
"K Zone For Sale" is a new ballpark promotion this season in Sections 154 and 155.
When Sale starts at home, fans with tickets in 154 and 155 receive a free K Zone T-shirt and strikeout card, which can be picked up at the #SoxSocial Lounge before the end of the first inning.
"K Zone For Sale" tickets are $20 for most games, with the exception of Family Sundays when tickets are $15 (subject to availability).
Jeter, the Yankees' standout shortstop, is retiring at the end of the season. This is New York's lone trip to the Cell this year.