Chicago Sun-Times

Buy or sell? It’s too early to tell for White Sox

Thu, 23 May 2013 02:29:19 -0500

Following in the footsteps of the man who GM’d the White Sox to a World Series title in 2005, Rick Hahn inherited a tall order when he took over as general manager for Ken Williams after last season. In 12 years with Williams as general manager — and Hahn as his assistant — the Sox won two division titles, finished second five times and had a winning record nine times. The Series title was the first for the franchise in 88 years. Following in the footsteps of Williams also means Hahn must tiptoe through a mess of a low-rated minor-league …

As a precaution, Sale skips start because of shoulder tendinitis

Thu, 23 May 2013 02:25:54 -0500

Jake Peavy knew Chris Sale was not in a good mood Wednesday. “It’s tough coming to the park on your start day and not pitching,’’ Peavy said. Peavy knows. Two weeks ago, he missed a start because of a bad back. The competitive juices flow through the system like poison when competitors can’t compete. Sale, the Sox’ prized 24-year-old left-hander, couldn’t pitch Wednesday because of tendinitis in his left shoulder. The Sox say he will take his next turn Tuesday against the Cubs. “I promise you it’s hurting him more than you know,’’ Peavy said. “It was tough for him …

Santiago sparkles but falls on short rest in White Sox’ 6-2 loss

Thu, 23 May 2013 02:26:04 -0500

After throwing 80 pitches in a rough outing against the Los Angeles Angels on Saturday, White Sox left-hander Hector Santiago bounced back with six strong innings in a 6-2 loss to the Red Sox and ace Clay Buchholz (7-0) on Wednesday night at U.S. Cellular Field. Santiago, 25, pressed into service when Chris Sale was scratched from his scheduled start with a sore shoulder, threw 107 pitches over six innings, allowing two runs on a one-armed, opposite-field single to left in the first inning by David Ortiz. Santiago (1-3, 2.81 ERA) didn’t allow a hit after the second inning. He …

Sox downplay shortstop drama before beating Red Sox 3-1

Wed, 22 May 2013 02:22:17 -0500

White Sox manager Robin Ventura and general manager Rick Hahn said what they could to curb the speculation. Gordon Beckham is playing shortstop for backup and flexibility purposes, they said. Beckham played short for Class AAA Charlotte on Monday and again Tuesday while the Sox were defeating the visiting Boston Red Sox 3-1, an intriguing development considering he hadn’t played there since his college and minor-league days. If Beckham can play short as a backup, he probably can play it full-time, and such a scenario would open a door to making former Silver Slugger Award winner Alexei Ramirez available in a …

Quintana flirted with no-hitter in 3-1 White Sox’ win

Tue, 21 May 2013 23:23:44 -0500

Jose Quintana took a no-hitter into the seventh inning, Jesse Crain bailed him out of a base-loaded jam, and Jeff Keppinger hit his first homer in a White Sox uniform as the Sox defeated the Boston Red Sox 3-1 on Tuesday night. “I noticed I had a no-hitter in the fifth inning but I tried not to think about it because all I wanted to do was get outs and keep the team ahead,” Quintana said. “Everything was working and my pitches were in the zone and I was ahead in the counts. That really helped me out.” Alex Rios …

Reinsdorf to family: When I die, sell White Sox, keep Bulls

Tue, 21 May 2013 23:20:13 -0500

Jerry Reinsdorf has told his family they should sell the White Sox and keep the Bulls after he is gone — but he doesn’t plan on that happening any time soon. The topic of future ownership of the Sox arose Tuesday in a story released by SportsBusiness Journal, which is honoring Reinsdorf with its Lifetime Achievement Award on Wednesday night in New York. The publication interviewed Reinsdorf, 77, about his longtime sports ownerships in Chicago and noted that ‘‘the family succession plan calls for the Reinsdorfs to retain their stake in the Bulls while selling the White Sox. Michael Reinsdorf …

With Sox’ John Danks expected back Friday, Chris Sale forced to miss start

Wed, 22 May 2013 02:22:28 -0500

The impending return of John Danks, a no-hitter taken into the seventh by Jose Quintana and a second straight victory against the Boston Red Sox were too much fresh good news. Mixed in was one rotten and troubling development: Ace lefty Chris Sale has mild tendinitis in his left posterior shoulder and will miss his scheduled turn in the series finale against Red Sox ace Clay Buchholz on Wednesday. Sale promised to make his next scheduled turn against the Cubs next Tuesday. Sale (5-2, 2.53 ERA), who missed time with a tender elbow last season, said the shoulder wasn’t normal …

VIDEO: John Danks on returning to White Sox, projected Friday start

Tue, 21 May 2013 18:09:21 -0500

JOHN DANKS EXPECTED TO START FRIDAY VS. MARLINS John Danks is expected to make his first start of the season Friday against the Miami Marlins at U.S. Cellular Field. The Sox will wait until after Wednesday night’s game against the Boston Red Sox to make it official. Danks, who had shoulder surgery in August, hasn’t pitched since last May. His last game was at Wrigley Field against the Cubs. His second start would line up Wednesday at Wrigley Field. “It’s been a long process,’’ Danks said Tuesday. “Hopefully it ends this weekend. “It’s been long, lost season and it’s hard …

White Sox ace Chris Sale out Wednesday with sore shoulder

Tue, 21 May 2013 23:19:52 -0500

White Sox ace Chris Sale was scratched from his scheduled start Wednesday night against the Boston Red Sox with a sore shoulder. The Sox are calling it a precautionary move and expect him to miss one turn and return to the rotation to face the Cubs next Tuesday. Sale has mild tendinitis in the posterior shoulder. Sale, who is 5-2 with a 2.53 ERA, was sidelined with a sore elbow last season. …

White Sox bats starting to get healthy

Tue, 21 May 2013 17:44:20 -0500

Slowly but surely, the White Sox are becoming whole again. Or at least as whole as they can be. They endured a month without second baseman Gordon Beckham and two months without John Danks. They also have been without the production of their two top offensive weapons, Adam Dunn and Paul Konerko. But the last week has seen Dunn start to come alive and Konerko hinting at the same. Plus, Beckham and Danks are expected back soon. Dunn hit a three-run homer in the first inning Monday off Boston Red Sox left-hander Jon Lester, fueling a 6-4 victory and handing …

Dunn, White Sox get to Lester early in 6-4 win

Mon, 20 May 2013 22:20:52 -0500

Adam Dunn greeted Red Sox starter Jon Lester with a three-run homer in the first Monday, helping to power the White Sox to a 6-4 victory at U.S. Cellular Field and ending Lester’s undefeated streak. The Sox jumped on Lester in the first after two were out when Alex Rios singled--extending his career best hitting streak to 15 games--before Paul Konerko walked. Dunn’s 11th homer followed, giving him five in the last seven games. The Sox added two runs in the second with two-out doubles from Tyler Greene, Alejandro De Aza and Alexei Ramirez. The Sox scored an unearned run …