Sox trust that Chris Sale can come through as a starter

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Updated: March 1, 2012 8:29AM

If Opening Day were today, the White Sox rotation would be John Danks, Jake Peavy, Gavin Floyd, Philip Humber and Chris Sale — with an order to be determined.

The wild card in the group is Sale, 22, who has the stuff to be a 15-game winner, but is untested as a starter. He has pitched nowhere near 200 innings and thus will be brought along slowly.

“It’s uncertain because he hasn’t done the role,’’ pitching coach Don Cooper said. “But he has pitched as a starter [in college and the minor leagues]. There’s going to be uncertainty in any guy’s first year starting in the big leagues because it’s a huge challenge.’’

Sale’s workload, in part because of his slight build, will be monitored.

“We’re going to … let him go,’’ Cooper said. “And as the season’s going we’ll assess where he’s at. What’s the worst thing that could happen to Chris Sale? He gets hurt. So we’re going to do everything in our power not to let that happen.’’

Three spots open

With closer Sergio Santos traded and Sale out of the bullpen, arguably the Sox’ best relievers are gone from the bullpen.

Jesse Crain, Matt Thornton, Addison Reed and Will Ohman will likely have jobs, leaving three openings, Cooper said.

Right-handers Zach Stewart, Dylan Axelrod and Gregory Infante and left-hander Hector Santiago are in the mix.

Reserve a seat

General manager Ken Williams said right-hander Nestor Molina, rated as high as the No. 2 Sox prospect behind Reed, could be with the club by midseason. Molina came in the trade for Santos.

“This young man we think is a top-of-the-rotation type of guy,’’ Williams said.

Itchy trigger finger

Williams can’t retool forever. He said it won’t be too long before he gets to spend again. With Prince Fielder coming to the AL Central, “At some point we are going to have to get back to what has been our [offseason] norm over the last number of years, which is the aggressiveness,’’ Williams said. “But this offseason, we weren’t in that position.’’