Sox making some interesting moves
Carlos Rodon, the White Sox' first-round draft pick last month (No. 3 overall), was a star pitcher for North Carolina State the past three seasons.
The 21-year-old left-hander combined to go 25-10 with a 2.24 ERA in three seasons for the Wolfpack, and he struck out 436 in 346 innings.
North Carolina State is located in Raleigh, and local TV station WRAL on Wednesday reported Rodon has agreed to terms with the Sox and was en route to Chicago for a physical.
WRAL also reported Rodon will report to high Class A Winston-Salem after he signs.
A high-ranking White Sox official would neither confirm nor deny the report.
The slotted amount for Rodon at No. 3 overall is $5.7 million.
If he does sign and breezes through the minor-league system like Chris Sale did in 2010, Rodon could be in the Sox' bullpen in September.
Pierzynski released:
Considering how bad they are playing this season, you had to figure heads were going to start rolling in Boston.
Before Wednesday night's game against the White Sox, Red Sox catcher A.J. Pierzynski was designated for assignment.
The 37-year-old Pierzynski, a popular player for the White Sox from 2005-12, signed a one-year, $8.25 million contract with Boston over the winter.
He had a subpar .254/.286/.348 hitting line with 4 home runs and 31 RBI in 72 games with the Red Sox.
Expected to clear waivers and sign with another major-league team, don't look for Pierzynski to land with the White Sox, even though they could use some help behind the plate.
The Sox have shown no interest in Pierzynski since they let him depart as a free agent following the 2012 season, and nothing has changed on that front.
In his short stay with the defending World Series champion Red Sox, Pierzynski took quite a bit of blame for a season that is already lost.
Manager John Farrell told Boston reporters Pierzynski was cut loose to open a spot for prized catching prospect Christian Vazquez.
“I think it's important to note that this, where we are today, is not pinning this on A.J. by any means,” Farrell said. “We felt like there was a player ready to step in that we wanted to give valuable time this year as we move forward, and that's Christian.”
Tanaka fallout:
The New York Yankees placed ace starting pitcher Masahiro Tanaka on the 15-day disabled list Wednesdsy with elbow inflammation.
While it is unknown if the injury is going to require surgery, Tanaka (12-4, 2.51 ERA) figures to be out for an extended period, and that could have a big impact on the American League Cy Young and Rookie of the Year races.
Chris Sale was victimized by the White Sox' erratic bullpen in Wednesday night's 5-4 loss to Boston, but the ace left-hander is 8-1 and he lowered his ERA to 2.08 after limiting the Red Sox to 1 run in 7.2 innings.
While he was not named to the American League all-star team but is still leading in Final Vote balloting, Sale is a leading Cy Young candidate.
Tanaka is in his first major-league season and was running neck-and-neck with White Sox first baseman Jose Abreu in the Rookie of the Year race.
Abreu hit his 28th home run Wednesday and he has 70 RBI in 78 games.