With Colas demoted to minors, Sox give Sheets shot in right field in DH split
During his three years with the White Sox, Gavin Sheets has never been a regular in the lineup.
Over the final two-plus weeks of the current season, he's positioned to get a long look in right field.
"Just finish strong," Sheets said. "I'm excited for the opportunity. Obviously, I want to play. I want to be in there every day. I'm excited for the opportunity to get back out there. Sometimes you take it for granted and you really miss it.
"To get back out there and be playing is a lot of fun for me."
On Monday, the Sox optioned disappointing rookie right fielder Oscar Colas to Class AAA Charlotte for the remainder of the season.
Eloy Jimenez is going to be the White Sox's designated hitter for the final 17 games of the season, so there is a spot open for Sheets.
"He's just got to go out there and play the game," manager Pedro Grifol said. "Play it hard and take good at-bats. It's important for all these guys, not just Gavin. It's important for all these guys to keep the energy up on their end, not only as a team but as individuals.
"I can't reiterate this enough, we're in the process of doing things a little different, focusing on different things. This is a good opportunity for them."
Sheets started both games of Tuesday's doubleheader in right field at Guaranteed Rate Field.
In the Sox's 6-2 win over the Royals in Game 1, Sheets sparked a 5-run first inning with a 2-run single.
Trailing Kansas City 9-1 in the sixth inning of Game 2, Sheets came through again with a 3-run double. The White Sox came all the way back to tie the game with 8 runs in the sixth but wound up losing 11-10.
Dylan Cease started the opener for the White Sox and he got the win after allowing 1 run over 5⅓ innings.
Touki Toussaint started Game 2 and it did not go well. The right-hander lasted only 1 inning and gave up 8 runs on 6 hits and 2 walks.
Familiar look:
Dylan Cease wanted to go deeper in his Game 1 start against the Royals, but his pitch count was at 102 when he was pulled with one out in the sixth inning.
"Obviously, we want him to get quicker outs," manager Pedro Grifol said. "I'm sure he does, too, so he can stay in the game a little longer. But when you've got a high strikeout guy like he is, you're going to hit high pitch counts. That's something we'll continue to work on, he'll continue to work on.
"He's young (27). We're going to figure this thing out and he's going to be a good one for a long time."
Despite another abbreviated outing, Cease looked more like the pitcher that finished second in American League Cy Young Award voting last year. He allowed 1 run on 4 hits and 1 walk and had 8 strikeouts.
"It's always in there," said Cease, who is 7-7 with a 4.87 ERA. "It's just a matter of getting that out and utilizing it. Even when things aren't going well, I know it's in there. It's just a matter of staying focused and try not to get too frustrated and keep working."