White Sox adjust rotation, Samardzija unlikely to pitch vs. Royals

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The Kansas City Royals likely won’t get another crack at Jeff Samardzija next weekend.

Manager Robin Ventura said Sunday the White Sox will pitch Chris Sale Tuesday against Minnesota, Carlos Rodon Wednesday and probably Samardzija Thursday for a three-game series at Target Field. With an off day Monday, the White Sox can finagle their rotation to get John Danks, not Samardzija, to pitch Friday’s series opener against Kansas City at Kauffman Stadium.

[SHOP: Buy a Jeff Samardzija jersey]

Samardzija — who was at the center of an April 23 brawl with the Royals — has struggled against Kansas City this year, allowing 16 runs in 17 2/3 innings (an 8.15 ERA) over three starts. Royals hitters have a .902 OPS against the 30-year-old right-hander, who finished August with an 8.82 ERA in the month.

[MORE: White Sox pleased with Carlos Rodon's workload heading into September]

Danks has had considerably more success in four starts against the defending American League champions this year, posting a 3.80 ERA in 23 2/3 innings.

Ventura said Saturday the White Sox may skip one of Rodon's turns in the rotation in September to keep his innings down, though the 22-year-old left-hander has pitched well enough recently to avoid a break early next month.

"Carlos deserves to keep going and see where he’s at and keep developing and do that," Ventura said. "So we are not going to move him out of there."

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