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Axelrod

Axelrod should have picked up a win in his first major league start, but Chris Sale and Sergio Santos combined to blow a three-run lead in the ninth. Axelrod will remain in the rotation through the end of the season, but he’s a risky play in AL-only leagues.

Axelrod struck out four and served up a pair of solo home runs in his first start of the season. Auditioning for Chris Sale’s vacated rotation spot, Axelrod will get the Royals at home next weekend. Axelrod will likely be stretched out slowly. He’s on the AL-only league radar, however.

With a doubleheader against the Indians scheduled for Monday, Chicago will summon a reliever in Axelrod’s place. Axelrod gave up two runs on six hits and a pair of walks over 4 1/3 innings of Sunday’s loss to the Tigers, raising his ERA to 3.52 and his WHIP to an unruly 1.57. He should be back on the roster in a few weeks.

Axelrod was given first crack at Chris Sale’s spot in the rotation and responded by allowing two runs on six hits and two walks over 4 1/3 innings in Sunday’s loss to the Tigers. He heads to the minors with a 3.52 ERA and 1.57 WHIP. Chicago needed a reliever for Monday’s doubleheader. Axelrod should be back soon enough, but the White Sox have an off-day Thursday and may not need a starter again until May 15.

Axelrod was a longshot to make the team as a reliever and is a non-prospect going into his age-27 season. The White Sox also reassigned Brian Bruney, Hector Gimenez, Ray Olmedo, Leyson Septimo and Eric Stults to minor league camp.

He’ll replace the injured Jesse Crain (oblique) on the active roster. Axelrod, 26, had an impressive 1.08 ERA and 26/4 K/BB ratio in 25 innings over his first four starts at the Triple-A level this season and will pitch in middle relief with the big club.

Axelrod’s first chance to run with the job will come Sunday against the Tigers. The 2007 30th-round pick has started three career games, all with the White Sox late last season. He went 1-0 while giving up six earned runs, 16 hits and eight walks over 16 2/3 innings.

That’s assuming he isn’t needed in relief between now and then. Axelrod had an impressive 1.08 ERA and 26/4 K/BB ratio in 25 innings over his first four starts at the Triple-A level this season before allowing one run over 2 1/3 innings in his lone appearance for the Sox last week.

Axelrod came into the outing with a 6.16 ERA this season and was rocked for seven runs in his last start, so to say this came out of nowhere would be an understatement. It’s uncertain whether he’ll get another chance with Gavin Floyd’s status up in the air, but he earned one with this effort.

Axelrod was optioned to the minors after limiting the Orioles to just one run over 7 1/3 innings last Wednesday, but he’s eligible to return now that Double-A Birmingham’s season is over. He is expected to start Sunday against the Royals and is worth a shot in AL-only formats.