Rapid Reaction: Twins 2, White Sox 1

April, 20, 2013
Apr 20
5:52
PM CT


CHICAGO -- Here's a quick look at the Chicago White Sox's 2-1 loss to the Minnesota Twins on Saturday afternoon at U.S. Cellular Field:

How it happened: The Twins scored the go-ahead run on a throwing error by Alexei Ramirez in the 10th inning. After a weather-related cancellation on Friday, right-hander Jake Peavy and Twins starter Vance Worley kicked off the abbreviated two-game series. Alejandro De Aza led off the White Sox's first inning with his fourth home run of the season, his fifth career leadoff homer. Twins outfielder Josh Willingham singled home the tying run in the third inning, scoring Brian Dozier.

Peavy kept his streak of good pitching alive. In seven innings, he allowed just one run on six hits with nine strikeouts to lower his ERA to 3.20. Worley also went seven in a no-decision.

Two Web Gem-caliber plays by the Sox in the eighth inning preserved a tie. Third baseman Conor Gillaspie made a diving backhand stop of a bases-loaded one-hopper and forced Chris Parmelee out at home with a perfect throw from his knees. Paul Konerko had an over-the-shoulder catch in foul territory to end the inning.

What it means: Peavy entered the game having defeated Minnesota in four straight starts, carrying a 1.73 ERA throughout those outings. As a team, the White Sox came into the contest with a .177 batting average with runners in scoring position (lowest in the American League). They were 0-for-3 with men in scoring position on Saturday. Adam Dunn is in a 1-for-36 slump and struck out three times in four at-bats.

Outside the box: Outfielder Dayan Viciedo was placed on the 15-day DL due to a strained oblique. Outfielder Blake Tekotte was recalled from Triple-A. Pitching coach Don Cooper returned to the team after missing 10 days with diverticulitis. The Sox had won 12 of their previous 14 games against the Twins.

Up next: On Sunday, RHP Gavin Floyd (0-3, 6.32) faces off against LHP Scott Diamond (0-1, 8.31) in the finale of this two-game series.

John Danks making slow progress

April, 20, 2013
Apr 20
3:17
PM CT
CHICAGO -- While reports on injured pitcher John Danks continue to be positive, the left-hander remains at extended spring training in Arizona.

Danks was scheduled for another outing Saturday and is expected to be in Chicago to meet with team personnel Sunday.

His velocity has been slowly on the rise after shoulder surgery last summer but clearly not where the White Sox would like it. He still figures to make multiple starts at Double-A or Triple-A before coming back to the White Sox, which would mean he won't return until May at the earliest.

“The reports have been good. He’s been feeling good in between, and he’s been able to do his side [sessions],” Hahn said. “He’s been able to do all his exercises, and he continues to progress.”

Dylan Axelrod has pitched well in two of his three outings after assuming a rotation spot for Danks. He gave up one run in his season debut April 6 against Seattle and gave up two runs in six innings Tuesday at Toronto. In his other outing, April 11 at Cleveland, he gave up six runs in just 3⅔ innings.
CHICAGO -- As expected, the Chicago White Sox put outfielder Dayan Viciedo on the 15-day disabled list Saturday and recalled outfielder Blake Tekotte from Triple-A Charlotte.

Viciedo was diagnosed with a left oblique strain. He injured himself on a swing Thursday night at Toronto and was immediately removed from the game.

“We’re hoping it’s two weeks,” manager Robin Ventura said. “Sometimes, those can be longer. He doesn’t necessarily have a patient or deliberate swing; it’s a violent swing. That’s the other thing. You let him go back out there and swing and it will probably be worse. You see people down for a long time.”

Viciedo continues to insist the injury isn’t serious, although he was wincing in pain immediately after he was removed from Thursday’s game.

“It’s very disappointing, but those are some of the things you can’t control,” Viciedo said through an interpreter. “I’m just going to take it one day at a time, and I’m going to work to get better so I can help the team as soon as possible.”

The power-hitting left fielder was batting .229 with a .417 slugging percentage over his first 14 games, hitting two home runs with five RBIs.

Tekotte, who was acquired in November from the San Diego Padres in exchange for pitcher Brandon Kloess, has 30 games of major league experience. The Missouri native was a third-round pick in the 2008 first-year player draft.

“[Tekotte] can run a little bit, so he could be running late, going in defensively, getting a start here and there,” Ventura said. “We’ll just have to move it around and make it work.”

Hahn not ready to tinker just yet

April, 20, 2013
Apr 20
2:39
PM CT
CHICAGO -- Without a ton of depth, good health was imperative for the Chicago White Sox, and so far things have gone nothing like the team hoped.

Not only does John Danks continue to recover from last summer’s shoulder surgery, but Dayan Viciedo is now on the disabled list with an oblique strain, joining fellow Opening Day starter Gordon Beckham, who fractured the hamate bone in his left hand/wrist.

In addition to that, utility man Angel Sanchez has already gone to the disabled list, along with reliever Leyson Septimo.

“I don’t remember an April where we’ve had five guys on the DL, but that’s just part of the gig and that’s where we’re at right now,” general manager Rick Hahn said. “Fortunately, nothing seems that long term. We expect all of these guys to be back in the coming weeks and months. In the meantime, we’ll give some other guys opportunities.

“You’ve seen Conor Gillaspie make the most of his chance to get more regular at-bats, and here’s a chance now for guys like [Jordan] Danks, [Blake] Tekotte and Dewayne Wise to step up and play a larger role.”

While Viciedo was still trying to find his way in the early going, Beckham was off to a solid start before he was injured. Taking advantage of his spot toward the end of the White Sox’s order, Beckham was batting .316 after the first seven days, although he had yet to deliver an extra-base hit.

With Jeff Keppinger moving over to second base, Gillaspie has made the most of his opportunity at third base. He closed out the road trip on an 0-for-6 slide but was still batting .364 with a .485 slugging percentage at the start of play Saturday.

Gillaspie was acquired at the start of spring training as a nod to the club’s lack of depth. The White Sox’s system is not highly regarded by baseball publications, like Baseball America, that monitor the minor leagues.

Hahn was asked whether the injuries and a 7-9 start have tempted to tinker with the roster via trades.

“Given all the injuries, it’s been fairly easy to tinker and scratch that itch, so to speak,” Hahn said. “It certainly is a temptation to explore other options, but it’s way too soon to avert from the plan except when forced to due to injury.

“We’d rather get up to at least 6-8-week sample before you start drawing any sort of long-term conclusions, whether it be the guys who have gotten off to fantastic starts or the guys who have struggled early.”

Health issues haven’t been exclusive to the roster. Pitching coach Don Cooper missed the entire 10-game road trip with a digestive issue that required hospitalization in Washington D.C.

“It wasn’t a good road trip,” Ventura said of his club, which went 3-7 on its three-city swing. “Not only losing players, but you’re losing staff members. But again, it’s part of the game, and you just have to be able to have somebody come in and pick it up and keep going. That’s just part of baseball and being a long season and being able to make it work.”

Cooper done with coaching by text

April, 20, 2013
Apr 20
1:50
PM CT
CHICAGO -- Not only are the Chicago White Sox starting a homestand after a rough three-city road trip, they are also welcoming back pitching coach Don Cooper, who missed the past 10 games because of a bout with diverticulitis.

The digestive disorder caused Cooper to be hospitalized while the team was in Washington, D.C., to start the trip, and he didn’t travel with the club to Cleveland or Toronto.

“What it amounted to for me was a bad, bad, bad stomach ache for five days,” Cooper said. “There are so many people that have it so much worse, every day waking up with pain. I’m not going to beef about it.”

Perhaps “beef” wasn’t the best word, although Cooper said he was told by doctors that his digestive issue is likely hereditary, while being brought on by age.

Bullpen coach Bobby Thigpen assumed Cooper’s duties during the road trip.

“It’s good to have him back, just for the stuff he does and the normal interaction for me during the game for the pitchers,” manager Robin Ventura said. “Bobby did a good job, but you kind of feel like everybody is back doing what they are supposed to be doing.”

While at home recovering, Cooper still kept a close eye on the club while watching the games in Cleveland and Toronto. He even got messages to players during the games.

“I was talking to Bobby daily, and I was texting guys during their outings,” Cooper said. “I was texting all the pitchers in their outings. Sometimes, it wasn’t going through with some of the problems with phones in Toronto. But I texted the catchers, the pitchers when they were doing well and when they didn’t, telling them what I was seeing.

“It’s a different perspective and different view than what I normally get right there. There were things you get to see and say to make sure we stay on top with this that and the other things with individual guys.”

Overall, the pitching staff wasn’t at its best while Cooper was away, posting a 4.20 ERA on the road trip while the White Sox were outscored 41-35. But there were some positives.

“Seeing [Jose] Quintana pitch the way he did the last two starts, seeing Jake Peavy in Cleveland, seeing Dylan [Axelrod] up there, Chris [Sale on Thursday] in Toronto, and our bullpen has been great,” Cooper said. “The catchers did a heck of a job.”

Cooper said he grew an even deeper appreciation for his job as pitching coach while being away. And he added that he is making changes to his diet in order to not have the same issue return.

“I guess as you get older you realize you are not bulletproof anymore,” he said. “But [stuff] comes your way, and you deal with it as best as you can and move on. Luckily, it was a small thing for me and so many other things are much, much more difficult to fight through.”

Mitchell sent down, Morel to DL

April, 19, 2013
Apr 19
4:09
PM CT
CHICAGO -- Struggling outfielder Jared Mitchell was sent down to Double-A Birmingham after starting the season with a .132 batting average over his first 53 at-bats at Triple-A Charlotte.

After a 32-game stint in Triple-A last year, the White Sox hoped the former first-round draft pick could put together a productive season at the minor league’s highest level and move closer to making his major league debut. Instead he posted a .277 on-base percentage and a .170 slugging percentage in the early going.

Now, the 24-year-old Mitchell will return to Birmingham, where he had 10 home runs, 54 RBIs and an .808 OPS last season in 94 games and 334 at-bats.

In another move at Charlotte, Brent Morel was placed on the disabled list with an undisclosed injury. He last played Monday, striking out in the bottom of the ninth inning. Morel was batting .231 with a .764 OPS over his first 11 games played in Triple-A.

The two moves helped the Knights free up roster space for Blake Tekotte and Josh Bell, who were activated off the disabled list.

Viciedo undergoing treatment

April, 19, 2013
Apr 19
3:11
PM CT
CHICAGO -- As of now, the Chicago White Sox are not announcing a disabled list stint for Dayan Viciedo, who was injured while swinging at a pitch in Thursday night’s game at Toronto.

Viciedo was undergoing treatment Friday with team trainers for what is being listed as an oblique strain. He grabbed his left side immediately after swinging at a pitch in the late innings Thursday and was removed from the game. He could be seen in the dugout afterward wincing in pain.

As of now, Viciedo is listed as day to day.

(Read full post)

White Sox push back rotation

April, 19, 2013
Apr 19
2:50
PM CT
CHICAGO -- The Chicago White Sox will not alter their starting rotation in the face of Friday night’s postponement due to expected cold temperatures.

Jake Peavy, who was scheduled to start Friday, will now move to Saturday’s game against the Minnesota Twins, which is a 2:05 p.m. start. Gavin Floyd, who was scheduled to pitch Saturday, will be moved to Sunday’s game.

(Read full post)

Friday's Sox-Twins game postponed

April, 19, 2013
Apr 19
11:56
AM CT
CHICAGO -- Friday's game between the Chicago White Sox and Minnesota Twins at U.S. Cellular Field has been postponed because of cold and windy conditions.

A makeup date for the opener of a 10-game homestand has not been determined. The last game to be postponed at U.S. Cellular Field due to cold weather conditions was on April 10, 2008 against the Twins.

The Sox and Twins will now open the series at 2:05 p.m. CT Saturday.

Chat alert: Doug Padilla at 12:30 CT

April, 19, 2013
Apr 19
9:33
AM CT
ESPNChicago.com's Doug Padilla takes your White Sox questions during a live chat at 12:30 p.m. CT Friday. Click here to submit your questions.

Rapid Reaction: Blue Jays 3, White Sox 1

April, 18, 2013
Apr 18
8:47
PM CT
Here's a quick look at the Chicago White Sox's 3-1 loss to the Toronto Blue Jays on Thursday:

How it happened: Coming off the worst start of his career, Chris Sale pitched good enough to win, giving up two earned runs in seven innings. But the Sox committed two costly errors, including one by Sale, against the Jays, who got a stellar effort from 2012 NL Cy Young winner R.A. Dickey. He pitched six shutout innings before leaving with neck and back stiffness. The Jays took a 1-0 lead in the first inning on an Edwin Encarnacion RBI single and scored two runs in the fifth when an Adam Dunn error scored Emilio Bonifacio and Raji Davis hit an RBI double. Tyler Flowers drove in the only Sox run in the eighth inning with a double that scored Alexei Ramirez.

What it means: The Sox had a chance to win their four-game series against the Jays and put a positive end to a tough 10-game road trip. Instead their ace lost his second straight start, the victim of a lack of run support, which has been a familar refrain early in the season for the Sox, who had just four hits. Dayan Viciedo could be headed to the disabled list after suffering an oblique strain.

Next: The Sox return home to open a weekend series against the Minnesota Twins. The Sox's Jake Peavy (2-1, 3.93 ERA) will be opposed by the Twins' Vancer Worley (0-2, 10.50) in the 7:10 p.m. CT start at U.S. Cellular Field.

Rapid Reaction: White Sox 7, Blue Jays 0

April, 17, 2013
Apr 17
8:43
PM CT


Here's a quick look at the Chicago White Sox's 7-0 victory over the Toronto Blue Jays on Wednesday:

How it happened: The White Sox gave Jose Quintana some much-deserved run support after wasting a solid effort from the young lefthander in his last start against the Cleveland Indians. Tyler Flowers' three-run home run in the second inning got them on the board. The Sox extended their lead with an RBI double from Alexei Ramirez in the fourth and a home run by Alex Rios in the sixth. Paul Konerko drove in another in the seventh with a sacrifice fly. Quintana didn't allow a run over 6 2/3 innings and struck out seven to earn his first victory of the season.

What it means: The Sox have a chance to salvage a dreadful road trip by taking three of four from the Jays with a victory on Thursday. The Sox bats came alive on Wednesday with 11 hits, including two more for Dayan Viciedo, who has six hits in his last 11 at-bats. Meanwhile, Adam Dunn continued to struggle, going 0-for-4, extending his hitless streak to 21 at-bats.

Next: The White Sox wrap up their series -- and 10-game road trip -- Thursday when Chris Sale (1-1, 5.21 ERA) is opposed by R.A. Dickey (1-2, 5.82 ERA) at 6:05 p.m. CT.

Sox recall OF Danks, option Heath

April, 17, 2013
Apr 17
4:05
PM CT
TORONTO -- The Chicago White Sox recalled outfielder Jordan Danks from Triple-A Charlotte Wednesday and placed left-hander Charlie Leesman on waivers for the purpose of granting his unconditional release.

Read the entire story.

White Sox put it together to beat Jays

April, 16, 2013
Apr 16
10:53
PM CT
TORONTO -- The starting pitcher throws well, the bullpen keeps the score close and the lineup gets a clutch run or two to pull ahead late. It's a simple recipe for winning, yet obviously getting all three parts of the game working at the same time is easier said than done, as the Chicago White Sox could attest in the early part of this season.

On Tuesday against the Toronto Blue Jays, however, the Sox received two things -- quality pitching and key hits -- that have been in short supply for the club. Starter Dylan Axelrod gave the Sox six solid innings, limiting the Jays to two runs and keeping his team in the game despite a shaky final frame. After the bullpen did its characteristic superb job of keeping Toronto in check, the heart of the White Sox order delivered the go-ahead runs in the top of the ninth to put the club ahead for good in the 4-3 victory.

[+] Enlarge
Axelrod
Tom Szczerbowski/USA TODAY SportsDylan Axelrod gave the White Sox a quality start, which was a critical part of the formula to beat the Blue Jays on Tuesday.
"Those are the big at-bats and we finally got the big hit," manager Robin Ventura said. "Again, it's a work in progress and you keep going at it over and over again. That's the kind of thing you're looking for."

Adam Dunn and Paul Konerko both drew walks to lead off the ninth, and after a Conor Gillaspie strikeout, Dayan Viciedo came to the plate. Viciedo had gone 0-for-3 against Jays starter Josh Johnson and fell behind 1-and-2 against reliever Steve Delabar. The slugger held steady against a close 95 mph fastball that just missed the strike zone and didn't chase a ball in the dirt, then blasted a 3-2 pitch into deep center field for an RBI double.

It was a much-needed big hit for Viciedo, who entered the game hitting just .184 for the season and was 1-for-7 with runners in scoring position. After a three-hit performance on Monday, and Tuesday's clutch double, there are signs the Cuban outfielder was turning things around.

"I was very calm and was concentrating at swinging at good pitches," Viciedo said through an interpreter. "I had to get a good pitch to hit here. I felt calm during that at-bat, different than the other ones. I trust the work I've been doing in the cage. I'm getting better slowly and I'm feeling better slowly but definitely I've stayed positive."

The winning run was scored by Konerko, who came home on a Hector Gimenez sacrifice fly. It was one of three runs for Konerko, who also scored from third on a wild pitch in the second and hit a solo homer in the seventh. While Gimenez's fly ball went fairly deep into right field, it was still a challenge for the less-than-speedy team captain.

(Read full post)

Rapid Reaction: White Sox 4, Blue Jays 3

April, 16, 2013
Apr 16
9:16
PM CT


TORONTO -- The Chicago White Sox scored a pair of ninth-inning runs and then hung on for a 4-3 victory over the Toronto Blue Jays on Tuesday at the Rogers Centre.

How it happened: White Sox starter Dylan Axelrod and Jays starter Josh Johnson engaged in a pitchers' duel for much of the game, with each right-hander allowing two runs over six and seven innings, respectively. Adam Dunn and Paul Konerko led off the ninth with consecutive walks, paving the way for Dayan Viciedo to drive in a run on a long fly ball to center field. Konerko later came in to score the game winner on a Hector Gimenez sacrifice fly. Addison Reed allowed his first run of the season in the ninth to cut Chicago's lead to one, but the closer held on to record his fifth save.

What it means: The White Sox picked up their second road win of the season, improving their record to 2-6 away from U.S. Cellular Field this season. Konerko's home run in the seventh inning was the 425th of his career, putting him one away from tying Cubs great Billy Williams for 45th on the all-time list. Konerko scored three runs in a game for the first time since May 26, 2012.

Outside the box: Axelrod threw a quality start (six innings, two earned runs, seven hits, one walk, four strikeouts), and yet the right-hander came ever so close to avoiding damage altogether. Axelrod twice allowed two-out solo homers on 1-and-2 counts -- Colby Rasmus connected on a long ball in the second inning, and J.P. Arencibia went deep in the sixth to temporarily give Toronto the lead. The two homers were the first homers allowed by Axelrod this season, and he had given up just one home run over his previous 32 1/3 innings dating to last season.

Offbeat: Axelrod was aided by some quality glove work from the White Sox infielders. Alexei Ramirez made a nifty jumping grab of a Brett Lawrie line drive to end the fifth inning. Dunn snagged a liner the next inning, a scorcher off the bat of Maicer Izturis that went right to Dunn at first base. Dunn made the catch and then stepped on first to double off Rasmus for an unassisted double play.

Up next: The White Sox play the third game of their four-game series with the Blue Jays on Wednesday at 6:07 p.m. CT. After throwing seven shutout, one-hit innings in his previous start, left-hander Jose Quintana (0-0, 4.09 ERA) returns to the mound against fellow southpaw J.A. Happ (2-0, 3.48).
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TEAM LEADERS

BA LEADER
Alexei Ramirez
BA HR RBI R
.292 1 4 9
OTHER LEADERS
HRA. Rios 6
RBIP. Konerko 15
RA. De Aza 17
OPSA. Rios .822
WJ. Peavy 3
ERAJ. Peavy 3.38
SOJ. Peavy 39