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White Sox intent on getting starting rotation rest before playoffs

The White Sox have been in first place since May 4 and have a commanding 9-game lead over the Cleveland Indians in the AL Central.

A second straight trip to the playoffs is all but locked up, not that the Sox are taking anything for granted in the early days of August.

But they are wisely starting to look ahead to October, and keeping the rotation as fresh as possible is a priority.

"Manage the best we can to try to keep guys healthy and strong and allow them to sprint through the finish line, which hopefully will be sometime around Halloween," said White Sox general manager Rick Hahn. "We're not assuming anything and all the normal baseball axioms about getting ahead of yourself here before you've clinched anything. Winning the division is the most important thing first. This is also about trying to keep guys healthy and strong entering into October."

Keeping the horses in the starting rotation on track is always critical for playoff-bound teams, even more so this year.

Last season was limited to 60 games due to COVID-19, so starters typically built up to throw 200 innings have had to scale back.

The Sox were successful with that strategy in the first half of the season, giving Michael Kopech 3 spot starts. Jimmy Lambert came up from Class AAA Charlotte for a start and Ryan Burr came out of the bullpen for another one.

Lambert returned from Charlotte and started Sunday's win over the Indians at Guaranteed Rate Field. That gave Lance Lynn, Carlos Rodon, Lucas Giolito, Dylan Cease and Dallas Keuchel a collective breather, and Monday's day off provided even more needed rest.

Rodon is being carefully monitored, for good reason.

The White Sox's left-hander has had Tommy John and shoulder surgeries, and he was limited to 42⅓ innings in 2019-20.

Rodon was brilliant in the first half of this season, going 7-3 with a 2.31 ERA. He was in uniform for the American League at the All-Star Game and knew going in he wasn't going to pitch.

"That break was much needed," Rodon said. "As you know, it's been awhile since I pitched to an all-star break and after an all-star break. I think I needed that for my body. I think it will do well in the second half."

In his last 2 starts, Rodon has allowed a combined 8 runs on 12 hits over 8 innings.

Those are concerning numbers, so Rodon isn't expected to start until Friday against the Cubs at Wrigley Field. He previously pitched last Thursday, against the Royals in Kansas City.

Lambert is likely to return from Charlotte for more spot starts after allowing 1 run in 3 innings Sunday against Cleveland.

Reynaldo Lopez was a starter for the Sox from 2017-20, and he's currently working out of the bullpen after beginning the season with Charlotte.

Lopez made a spot start July 19 and figures to get more.

"I can contribute in different roles whenever the team needs me," he said through a translator. "I'm here just to pitch and to help this team in whatever role they need me."

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