GLENDALE, Ariz. -- Initially hopeful that Chris Sale could return to pitch on Opening Day, the Chicago White Sox now are being more cautious with their optimism.
Manager Robin Ventura expressed doubts that Sale would be far enough in his recovery from a fracture in his right foot to pitch in the season opener on April 6 at Kansas City.
“He was slated to go for Opening Day and there is a slim chance that he would be able to do that,” Ventura said. “I would expect it not to be that way, but being that it’s his ankle, we can treat that. It’s not as though it’s his elbow, where we would really be cautious.”
Pitching coach Don Cooper said Sunday morning that top prospect Carlos Rodon will get the first crack at Sale’s spot in the rotation when he pitches in Friday’s Cactus League game.
That doesn’t necessarily mean Rodon will be on the Opening Day roster if Sale starts the year on the disabled list. Cooper also brought up the names of Brad Penny, Scott Carroll, Francellis Montas and Chris Beck.
“I think all of the guys that I’ve mentioned have a shot at making the rotation if (Sale) is not ready to go,” Cooper said. “And then we’ll make some adjustments to the schedule. Maybe it’s me, but it feels like we’ve dealt with stuff like this before. That’s OK, it is what it is. It sucks and I wish it didn’t happen, but there are a lot of things people wish didn’t happen. This is one with Chris and we’ll deal with it.”
Jeff Samardzija, who pitched on Opening Day for the Chicago Cubs the past two seasons, said he would be ready to pitch in this season’s opener if asked. Jose Quintana would also be a candidate to replace Sale in the opener.
“I think coming into this situation it was nice because before there had been a lot of talk of, ‘When are you gonna pitch,’ and this and that,” Samardzija said. “Chris is so established it was nice to come in here and just get ready for the season. Nothing changes. Be ready to go. It doesn’t matter what game. As long as you hand me the ball, I’ll be willing to take it and just do my best.”