White Sox GM Hahn optimistic on signing Rodon

There are no guarantees first-round draft pick Carlos Rodon is going to sign with the White Sox before the July 18 deadline.

"This will be the last time I discuss any negotiations until we get to the point where Carlos is ready to sign and start his professional career or has elected to go down a different path," Sox general manager Rick Hahn said Monday.

"But as we enter into this we intend to be aggressive, be fair and make an offer that, hopefully, convinces him it's time to begin his professional career."

Rodon is being represented by Scott Boras, and there is some dubious draft history between the agent and the Sox.

In 1996, first-round draft pick Bobby Seay did not sign with the White Sox due to a technicality. In '99, second-round pick Bobby Hill also failed to agree to terms.

Hahn appears to have a better relationship with Boras than predecessors Kenny Williams and Ron Schueler, so he has a good feeling about Rodon, a standout left-handed starting pitcher from North Carolina State taken No. 3 overall.

"I tend to be an optimistic guy," Hahn said. "I never anticipate problems. Look, in reality we have a history with Scott, a positive history with Scott. He had Joe Crede, he's got (Dayan) Viciedo, we had Andruw Jones here.

"A fair amount of this concern, or discussion on how this could be difficult, I think is unnecessary and really not significant to us determining what's going to happen here."

On the mend:

Injured closer Matt Lindstrom caught up with the White Sox on Monday, the same day he had his cast and stitches removed.

On May 19, Lindstrom was pitching at Kansas City when he came off the mound trying to field a bunt.

"There was a big pop," Lindstrom said. "It sounded like a line drive hit my leg."

Lindstrom dislocated a tendon in his right ankle and had surgery.

The 34-year-old reliever is still wearing a protective boot, and he is shooting for an Aug. 22 return.

"Being away from the team is the hardest thing," Lindstrom said. "I don't mind the rehab because I like to work. But I miss the plane rides, playing catch, stretching with the guys, all that kind of stuff."

Rotation roulette?

Andre Rienzo has allowed 12 earned runs on 22 hits and 5 walks in 12 innings while losing his last 3 starts, and Scott Carroll has allowed only 3 earned runs in 13 innings since being moved out of the Sox' rotation into long relief.

Is the duo going to be changing roles?

"You think of everything, but I'd like to see (Rienzo) get back to where he was a few starts ago, being aggressive, being more in control and things like that," manager Robin Ventura said. "When he's like that and has a curveball, he's a pretty good pitcher."

Rienzo (4-3, 5.25 ERA) is scheduled to start against Tigers left-hander Drew Smyly (3-4, 3.81) on Wednesday night.