Levine: Jeff Samardzija Likely For Opening Day, Jose Quintana For Next Game
(CBS) -- The Opening Day starter has yet to be named for the Chicago White Sox, but it appears likely that right-hander Jeff Samardzija will take the ball in the first game and left-hander Jose Quintana will pitch against the Royals on April 8 in the team's second game of the season.
"I am going to be ready for it," Quintana said. "I feel really good."
Quintana should have two more starts before the end of spring training: March 28 against the Oakland A's and then April 2 in the Cactus League finale against the Arizona Diamondbacks. That would put him on pace for the second game of the season with an extra day's rest.
Quintana has had a good spring, allowing just two runs in 15 1/3 innings over five starts in Arizona before surrendering four runs in the fifth inning Monday against San Diego. Quintana pitched out of jams in two previous frames before he was knocked out. Quintana's defense, led by shortstop Alexei Ramirez, pulled of two fancy double plays behind him before the rally.
With ace Chris Sale on the road to recovery from a foot injury, Samardzija will take the hill in the April 6 opener, barring the unforeseen. Quintana wanted consideration for the start, although it was not a priority for him.
The White Sox awarded Quintana a $21-million contract before the 2014 season, and it extends through 2018 with two club options for 2019 and 2020. He has established two consecutive seasons of 200 innings pitched and 30-plus starts.
The good news for Quintana is he built up his pitch count to 80 on Monday. That puts him on an easy pace to reach 100 pitches before Opening Day.
"I was a little (off) during the start of the game today," Quintana said. "I was lucky to have the defense behind me. I feel good about my pitching, and I am ready for the start in the second game."
Bruce Levine covers the Cubs and White Sox for 670 The Score and CBSChicago.com. Follow him on Twitter @MLBBruceLevine.