White Sox All-Star Carlos Rodón is determined to start Wednesday against the Reds, even after a bullpen session Sunday that went “just OK,” according to manager Tony La Russa.
“He didn’t really let it go to where (it was) anything like game-like,” La Russa said Monday morning. “But he said he’s good to try it Wednesday, so we’re anxious to see him.”
La Russa is hoping Rodón will be able to pitch four to six innings Wednesday, his last start of the regular season. But in case he can’t, the White Sox plan to have a reliver, preferably one who who can give them length, waiting in the wings.
Stay in the game with the latest updates on your beloved Chicago sports teams! Sign up here for our All Access Daily newsletter.
“That will be the classic example of observational analytics,” La Russa said. “We're just going to watch him throw that first pitch and the first inning and then see if it makes sense to send him out for the second. As always, you hope for the best, prepare for the worst.”
Questions surrounding Rodón’s health are at the root of any uncertainty projecting the White Sox’ postseason rotation.
The White Sox have had a clear Top 3 starting pitchers this season in Lance Lynn, Rodón and Lucas Giolito. All three have gone on the injured list in the past couple months to address ailments ahead of the postseason.
MORE: Sox playoff rotation: How starters could stack up in ALDS
MLB
Giolito returned the healthiest, building up to 100 pitches in his last start. Lynn, too, has his pitch count where he wants it, but he did work through a minor back issue in his last start. Rodón, however, has continued to battle shoulder soreness and fatigue since returning from the IL a month ago.
The left-hander, still on schedule that builds in extra rest between starts, threw just three innings at Detroit last week. After the game, La Russa said Rodón didn’t feel right and the White Sox were concerned. Rodón said it was “normal soreness” and “nothing crazy.”
The next day, the White Sox tentatively planned Rodón’s next start for Wednesday against the Reds, a date Rodón plans to keep.
“They say (don't) spin your wheels too much until you know what you've got,” La Russa said of playoff planning. “We're paying some attention, but until we know something Wednesday, we've got a week, a little over a week to figure it out.”