KANSAS CITY -- Phil Humber is all set to return to the White Sox rotation.
Humber, who made 78 pitches in a rehab start at Double-A Birmingham on Thursday, is likely to start for the White Sox on Wednesday in Boston, manager Robin Ventura confirmed.
Humber is 3-4 with a 6.01 ERA in 12 starts this season. He has been on the disabled list since June 22 with a right elbow flexor strain.
Humber retired the last 16 batters he faced Thursday as he allowed a run and two hits in six innings. He struck out five.
The quality of pitches I was making got better with each start, Humber said. Yesterday I was pleased with how I finished. Overall was good, but I was pleased with how I finished. I felt strong at the end and felt like I was commanding everything I wanted to.
Humber wanted improved command of his secondary pitches on Thursday. The right-hander said he struggled with those pitches early, but was aided by good fastball command until his secondary pitches improved. Humber threw strikes on 48 of 78 pitches.
Ventura said Humber would likely start Wednesday instead of Tuesday because the White Sox want to continue to give their starters an extra day in between outings. Dylan Axelrod is likely to start against the Red Sox on Tuesday, Ventura said.
MLB
Weve kind of been doing it during the year to give a guy an extra day here and there, Ventura said. Its just another way to do it.
Humber thinks the White Sox have found an unconventional way to improve their depth.
Even though weve had some injuries, weve had some guys that have stepped up and I think thats going to be a bonus for in the second half, Humber said. When guys get hurt and guys come up and get experience, thats how you build up depth. Weve had some guys who have had an opportunity to pitch some important innings for us that maybe John (Danks) or myself or Jesse (Crain) might have been pitching if we hadnt got hurt. Sometimes theres a silver lining when injuries happen.