Levine: Rodon Hit Early In Second Start, Sale Out For Opener
By Bruce Levine-
GLENDALE, Ariz. (CBS) -- If Carlos Rodon is going to slip into the White Sox starting rotation while ace Chris Sale is on the mend, better outings than Wednesday's will be required.
The 22-year-old first-round pick of the White Sox in the 2014 June amateur draft, Rodon was roughed up for three runs in the first inning against Texas.
"I left a couple balls up in the zone," he said. "I felt good, felt strong. Just my fastball command wasn't as good as last time."
Rodon pitched 2 1/3 innings, allowing three runs on five hits. He appeared to have his pitches elevated and over the plate at the beginning of the game. Texas had four hits among their first five batters. Rodon topped out at 95 mph throwing mostly fastballs and sliders. He did strike out Ryan Ludwick with a slider.
"That was a pitch with a lot of depth to it," Rodon said.
The news that Sale won't make the Opening Day start in Kansas City on April 6 pushes forward the possibility that Rodon could make the 25-man roster out of spring training. Before that could happen, he would first have to be put on the 40-man roster. That function would begin his major league free agent clock.
"Honestly, I can't even think about that," Rodon said about his chances of making the team out of spring training. "My thoughts are about the pitches I made today. I am only worrying about my next side, getting better and keeping the ball down."
White Sox executive vice president Kenny Williams said on MLB TV on Wednesday that Sale won't be ready to start the opener. Sale is rehabbing a sprain and fracture in his right foot. The team hopes he can resume running and do all other baseball activities around March 21. Williams said the team is hopeful that Sale could be ready by April 12. That would be the first time Chicago would need a fifth starter. The White Sox have three days off between April 6 and April 16.
Rodon's professional career consists of 24 2/3 innings that he threw in the minor leagues last summer. A practical approach to a young college pitcher would commonly include a year in the minors for seasoning. That would usually be an appropriate period of time for development in most cases., but the White Sox do have a history of moving their young pitchers to the big leagues quicker than many other franchises.
Bruce Levine covers the Cubs and White Sox for 670 The Score and CBSChicago.com. Follow him on Twitter @MLBBruceLevine.
