Levine: Carlos Rodon To Replace Suspended Jeff Samardzija In Rotation
By Bruce Levine--
CHICAGO (CBS) -- The other foot dropped for White Sox pitcher Jeff Samardzija, who has decided to take his five-game suspension. It began Wednesday.
He'll be able to work out with the team and rehab his swollen forearm before action begins but must vacate the clubhouse before game time for five games.
Samardzija was serving penance for his part in the bench-clearing brawl with Kansas City on April 23. He started Tuesday night, throwing seven innings of two-run ball. Ace left-hander Chis Sale will likely follow suit Thursday and take his five-game suspension. He started Wednesday night.
It's now time to call upon rookie left-hander Carlos Rodon, the team's top pick in the 2014 amateur draft. Rodon has been working out of the bullpen the last two weeks. He began the season as a starter at Triple-A. He'll make his first MLB start Saturday against the Reds.
To the White Sox's credit, they have used Rodon mostly in situations where he could continue to elevate his pitch count. On Wednesday, he threw a side session with pitching coach Don Cooper observing.
"He has kept his pitch count up there," manager Robin Ventura said. "There will really not be a limit for him. He will make his start, and we expect good things."
Rodon has pitched in three games with a 2.84 ERA. In 6 1/3 innings, he has allowed nine hits and two runs with four walks and four strikeouts.
"It should be fun," Rodon said. "I don't think anything really changes. Pitching is pitching no matter what role it is. You must pour it in the zone, so we prepare the same way. There is nothing different"
It's not known at this point who will replace Sale in the next go around of the rotation. If he takes his suspension, it could be right-hander Scott Carroll, who spot started last season when Sale was hurt.
"He has saved us big covering some innings," Ventura said about Carroll. "He helps right the ship and saved the bullpen from getting taxed. He could be a choice (to start). I think he is still able to do that."
Bruce Levine covers the Cubs and White Sox for 670 The Score and CBSChicago.com. Follow him on Twitter @MLBBruceLevine.