Rogers: Crain To Braves 'A Done Deal' If He Gets Healthy
(WSCR) When reliever Jesse Crain went on the disabled list earlier this month with a right shoulder injury, many assumed the White Sox had lost out on one of their better opportunities to start building up their farm system.
Pitching well in the final year of a three-year contract, Crain appeared to be half-way out the door already before the injury cast serious doubt about whether or not the White Sox would be able to use one of their better bargaining chips.
But their chances to deal Crain might not be completely shot. Chicago Tribune baseball scribe Phil Rogers said early Tuesday morning on The Mully And Hanley Show on 670 The Score that the Braves still want to acquire the right-handed reliever. In fact, he called it "a done deal" if Crain can get healthy.
Crain said last week that he was hoping to return by this coming Friday, which would give him five days to prove he's healthy before the July 31 trade deadline. But the White Sox have not confirmed when Crain will return and manager Robin Ventura indicated they would like him to make a rehab appearance in the minors before coming back.
Crain has arguably been the best reliever in the American League this year, allowing just three earned runs in 36.2 innings of work. He was named to his first All-Star Game earlier this month but was unable to pitch because of the injury.
