Levine: Jeff Samardzija Ready If Called On For Opening Day
By Bruce Levine-
GLENDALE, Ariz. (CBS) -- The Opening Day starter for the White Sox has yet to be determined by manager Robin Ventura and his staff. The assignment will go to either right-hander Jeff Samardzija or left-hander Jose Quintana following Wednesday's news that ace Chris Sale won't be ready be then.
The right political choice would be Quintana, who has been on the team for three years. On the other hand, the man with two Opening Day starts under his belt and the mound presence is Samardzija.
Ventura will be talking to both pitchers soon, he said Wednesday. As of Thursday, Samardzija hadn't heard from his manager, but he's content with whatever the decision is.
"What it's all about for any of us is being ready to pitch when called upon," Samardzija said. "Spring training is about getting your arm 100 percent ready to pitch. The last week or so when you need to sync up on your day to pitch, you really start to nail it down."
White Sox executive vice prsident Ken Williams told MLB TV that the injured Sale won't be ready for Opening Day. A fifth starer will be needed on April 12, and that's where Sale could slot in for the first time in 2015.
"No one has talked to me about anything yet," Samardzija said. "I think the concentration is on everyone getting in all of their starts. As soon as they have a feel for it, they will clue us in on day one, day two and so forth."
The 30-year-old Samardzija was the Opening Day starter for the Cubs the past two seasons. He threw eight scoreless innings while taking a no-decision against Pittsburgh in 2013. He then had 13 no-decisions in 2014, the third-most in all of baseball.
Only Jaime Navarro (1997-'98) has started on Opening Day for the two Chicago baseball teams in back-to-back seasons.
"I didn't know that had been done, but it would be a rare opportunity," Samardzija said. "The last 12 months have been pretty wild for me. Three teams in just three baseball months. I guess that is part of the ride."
Bruce Levine covers the Cubs and White Sox for 670 The Score and CBSChicago.com. Follow him on Twitter @MLBBruceLevine.
