Quintana's slow start doesn't slow questions about trade rumors

Quintana’s slow start doesn’t slow questions about trade rumors

NEW YORK — ‘‘Oh, baby.’’

That was White Sox left-hander Jose Quintana’s reaction moments after a media scrum in the visitors’ clubhouse Monday at Yankee Stadium produced many of the same responses from him about trade rumors that follow him almost everywhere.

Quintana isn’t accustomed to such heavy media scrutiny on the road. So after answering more questions about a common subject with the same ‘‘It’s not in my control’’ responses, he had to kind of smile and exhale.

Quintana, whose 6.75 ERA is by far the highest among Sox starters, has had two bad outings and one good one to open the season. That has fueled conjecture that knowing he is the subject of trade speculation is weighing on him.

‘‘I know I have a lot of responsibility, but I try not to put that on my shoulders,’’ Quintana said. ‘‘I don’t want any pressure for me.’’

Quintana, whose next scheduled start is Friday in Chicago, was told by a New York reporter that Yankees fans have been clamoring for him.

‘‘That’s good when fans want you, but I don’t have control of that,’’ he said. ‘‘I’ve heard a lot of rumors. But rumors are rumors, and I don’t pay attention.’’

May keeps his chin up

Rookie center fielder Jacob May’s attitude is about as bright as it can be for a player who still is looking for his first hit two weeks into the season. He is 0-for-24.

‘‘If you keep looking at it as a negative, then it’s going to be a negative,’’ May said. ‘‘It’s going to make me a better person, a better player, a better teammate.’’

Manager Rick Renteria gave May three days off before putting him back in the lineup Sunday, and he went 0-for-4. He started May again Monday — he went 0-for-3 — and said the plan to use him several days a week hasn’t changed.

‘‘When it’s all said and done, it will be a pretty cool story,’’ May said. ‘‘You have to fight through it. I’ll never quit.’’

May didn’t know grandfather Lee May began his career by going 0-for-14. Lee doubled in his 15th at-bat and went on to hit 354 career home runs.

‘‘OK, maybe it’s a family thing,’’ May said, smiling. ‘‘He had a pretty good career, so that’s cool to know. I’ll have to call him on that one. That’s a really good one. That’s relaxing. Thank you.’’

Frazier still out

Third baseman Todd Frazier was still out with what Renteria called ‘‘flulike irritation.’’

Renteria said he hoped Frazier would play Tuesday.

‘‘He is doing better,’’ Renteria said. ‘‘Holding food down now. We’re going to allow him to keep eating and recover a little bit.’’

Hobbling skipper

Renteria himself was on the injury report, walking with crutches before the game because of a sore knee that kept him on the bench during the game.

He sent bench coach Joe McEwing to the mound in his place to remove starter Derek Holland from the game in the

fifth inning.

Follow me on Twitter @CST_soxvan.

Email: dvanschouwen@suntimes.com