Gavin Floyd
has won only one of his last five starts and
Philip Humber
only one of his last eight, but pitching coach
Don Cooper
bristled at the thought the White Sox’s problems are unique.
“(Humber) and Gavin obviously have had some rough stretches,” Cooper said. “We are trying to bring out them of their inconsistency. We’ve seen them good before and we know what it looks like.
“Everyone likes to pick out our issues or our weak points or things we need to improve. We are well aware of them. Thanks to everyone for telling us.
“Here’s some news too: There are 30 other clubs and they all have issues too. We are not sitting and lamenting our inconsistency. We are trying actively to get it better. That’s all you can do.”
Good problem?
Opening day starter
John Danks
threw a bullpen session Saturday morning and is on target for a Tuesday start for Triple-A Charlotte, according to Cooper.
Actually, Danks most likely will make two minor league starts before he rejoins the rotation. Rookie
Jose Quintana,
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who has allowed only five earned runs in 152/3 innings during his starts, will continue in Danks’ place.
So what is the decision if Quintana continues to pitch well and Danks is ready to reclaim his starting job?
“That’s a good decision, that’s a good thing,” Cooper said. “This is stuff that’s great to watch, to see a kid go out there for the first time, get his first win.
“I’m having a lot of fun watching the younger guys. The biggest challenge is the biggest games always lay ahead. That’s where we’re at. But that’s a good thing. I’m hoping everybody pitches well to make it a real tough decision.”
Who’s on third:
Injured third baseman
Brent Morel
is back from minor league rehab for tests on his ailing back, which has been hurting him on and off.
Manager
Robin Ventura
hopes a final solution is found this time.
“The first thing is to figure out what’s going on for him,” Ventura said. “Seeing the way he was in spring training, to the way the start was to the season, to me is more the issue. So we have to figure out what it is first and then find your way back after that.”
Ventura was asked if
Dayan Viciedo
could be moved from left field back to third base, where he played in the minors.
“I like him where he’s at right now,” Ventura said. “We have options, three other guys who can play third. Right now I wouldn’t see him playing third.”
Orlando Hudson
and
Eduardo Escobar
have been sharing time at third in Morel’s absence.
End is near:
The raffle to spend a day with
Jake Peavy
and attend a Cubs-Sox game closes to entries Tuesday morning. Peavy said Saturday that about 50,000 tickets had been sold, with the proceeds going to pancreatic cancer research.
“I’m very happy,” Peavy said, “really excited people helped out and wanted to help out this cause.”
Tickets are available at netraffle.org with a minimum purchase of five tickets at $2 apiece.
Quick pick:
Twelfth-round draft pick
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Zach Stoner
has forgone entry into Southern Illinois University to sign with the Sox, according to The Southern Illinoisan. Stoner was a catcher at Rockford Boylan High School who hit .461.