Chicago White Sox have another rotation opening; Cease not expected to fill it
There is another hole in the Chicago White Sox's starting rotation and - barring an unexpected change in plans -- it is not going to be filled by top pitching prospect Dylan Cease.
After veteran Ervin Santana (0-2, 9.45 ERA) was released in late April following a failed 3-start audition, Manny Banuelos came out of the bullpen to take his spot.
The left-hander has not been much better than Santana, going 2-4 with an 8.05 ERA in 8 starts for the Sox.
Banuelos has a long injury history, and he was placed on the 10-day IL on Wednesday with left-shoulder inflammation for the second time this season.
The White Sox won't need a replacement starter until they play the Red Sox in Boston next week.
Cease is not considered a candidate at this time. In his last 3 starts for Class AAA Charlotte, the 23-year-old righty has allowed 11 earned runs on 15 hits and 8 walks in 10⅔ innings.
For the season, Cease is 5-2 with a 4.37 ERA and 60 strikeouts in 57⅔ innings over 12 starts with Charlotte.
"I think we're going to make sure that we take our time and are very thoughtful in our decision making," White Sox manager Rick Renteria said. "I'm not going to sit here and try to give you any answer that's going to dispel the notion that we shouldn't have him here. He's doing very, very well and he'll be here soon enough and I think hopefully he'll be able to do what everybody's expecting him to do."
Star search:
Class AA Birmingham center fielder Luis Robert, ranked No. 5 overall on MLB Pipeline's new Top 100 prospects list, had an RBI double and RBI triple on Tuesday night and was voted MVP of the Southern League All-Star Game.
In 60 games with Birmingham and high Class A Winston-Salem this season, the 21-year Robert is hitting .353/.403/.630 with 12 home runs, 44 RBI and 18 stolen bases.
Fulmer returns:
Carson Fulmer came up from Class AAA Charlotte on Wednesday and replaced the injured Manny Banuelos on the Sox's roster.
The No. 8 overall pick in the 2015 draft, Fulmer is 1-1 with a 6.97 ERA in 8 relief appearances over three stints with the White Sox this season.
"It's tough being sent down," Fulmer said. "But I tried to get back to it and work on the stuff that is going to help me have success, or consistent success, up here. I think I'm in a good place right now. I'm ready for the opportunity to get back in there."
Farquhar released:
After suffering a brain hemorrhage from a ruptured aneurysm following a relief appearance with the White Sox last April, Danny Farquhar nearly died, gradually recovered and vowed to pitch again.
The New York Yankees gave the 32-year-old righty a chance this season, but Farquhar was released Wednesday after giving up 7 runs in 3 innings with Class AAA Scranton/Wilkes-Barre.