Sale's 'Dead-Arm' Could Lead To 6-Man Rotation For White Sox
(CBS) Chris Sale isn't on a specific innings count, but it's becoming obvious the left-hander needs to limit his innings right now if he's going to be counted on in September.
Sale told reporters Sunday that his next start is uncertain. With Francisco Liriano joining the rotation Tuesday against the Twins, the White Sox pushed Jake Peavy back to Wednesday and have not announced their rotation beyond the three-game series in Minnesota.
"Going through a little dead-arm period I guess," Sale told the Chicago Tribune. "Nothing terrible, nothing anyone else doesn't go through. We all feel this is something that's going to benefit us and benefit myself -- a few extra days off so the next couple months we can make a push and get after it."
Sale is currently at 124 innings during his first full season starting in the majors, but there has been a noticeable velocity drop in his last two starts. He received an extended break from July 3 to July 15 earlier this month.
Ventura said Sunday that the White Sox could use a six-man rotation in August to give Sale extra rest.
"There's no pain or anything in there," Ventura to the Tribune. "We'll see how that sits when we're in Minnesota and how he feels and how he's going throw how he does in between his starts. Nothing's changed as far as how we started to treat him and how we treat him now. We're just trying to take care of him."
