White Sox notes: Rodon, Jacob Turner, Justin Morneau, Zach Putnam

SHARE White Sox notes: Rodon, Jacob Turner, Justin Morneau, Zach Putnam
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Chicago White Sox’s Jacob Turner throws during the second inning of a spring training baseball game against the Kansas City Royals, Monday, March 14, 2016, in Surprise, Ariz. (AP Photo/Darron Cummings)

ANAHEIM – Left-hander Carlos Rodon is eligible to come off the disabled list after the White Sox road trip ends in Seattle Wednesday, but it seems unlikely the second-year left-hander will be close to returning to the mound that soon even though he reported progress Saturday with his sprained left wrist.

Rodon, who hurt the wrist when he slipped in the dugout last Friday, played catch from 60 feet and said he’s getting some mobility back.

“It felt alright. It will take a little bit of time, but it’s getting there,’’ Rodon said.

There seems to be a good chance AAA Charlotte right-hander Jacob Turner (4-7, 4.71 ERA), who will be called up to pitch the series finale against the Angels Sunday, will stick around to make another start.

“Playing catch is one thing, letting it loose is going to be a whole other issue,’’ manager Robin Ventura said of Rodon. “But we’re still pleased with where he’s at and where it’s going. But until he throws like he would in a game that’s when you know.’’

Rodon, the 2014 No. 3 overall draft pick who was 5-2 with a 1.81 ERA over the last eight starts of his rookie season, is 2-7 with a 4.50 ERA this season.

“It sucks. It wasn’t good,’’ Rodon said of his first half. “Especially with that run I had at the end there (last season), I wanted to build off that. It just didn’t happen. I wasn’t throwing well, walking guys, falling behind on guys. Hopefully in the second half I can turn it around.’’

“I’m just trying to forget about it now. I’m trying to take it as a new season.’’

Turner time

The Sox claimed Turner off waivers last fall from the Cubs, who carried him on the 60-day disabled list for most of 2015. He was non-tendered, signed to a $1.5 million contract and had a chance to win a spot in the rotation during spring training before Mat Latos was signed.

With Turner set to be placed on the 40-man roster Sunday, infielder Carlos Sanchez was optioned to Charlotte after the Sox 1-0 loss Saturday night. Turner is 1-6 in his last 11 starts but on the plus side has allowed two or fewer runs in three of his last four, including a complete-game shutout at Gwinnett on June 24.

Morneau makes first start

Designated hitter Justin Morneau, who pinch hit and grounded out in his first at-bat as a Sox on Friday night, got his first start against right-hander Matt Shoemaker and is expected to start again Sunday against right-hander Jered Weaver.

The Sox face lefties Wade LeBlanc and Wade Miley and righty Felix Hernandez in Seattle next week, and Ventura said Morneau could get two starts there.

“We’ll see how he does in these two games [in Anaheim],’’ Ventura said.

Morneau, 35, a first baseman by trade, doesn’t figure to get a lot of time on the field aside from spelling Jose Abreu when he needs time off his feet, Ventura said.

“I wouldn’t think there would be a ton of it,’’ Ventura said.

Putnam tests elbow

Right-hander Zach Putnam threw off a mound for the first time since he felt soreness in his right elbow in Boston June 20. Putnam, who his hoping to avoid surgery, will test it again in a couple days, he said.

“It’s good to gain some knowledge. I don’t know, it didn’t feel great,” Putnam said.“I’m going to chalk it up to first time off the mound in a while. And I think even with a completely healthy arm, there’s going to be some aches and pains and stuff that doesn’t feel good the first time out. We are going to see how it responds tomorrow and try to get on the bump two days from now maybe.“For me, for the whole process and for my psyche, the second one will be more important than the first one. Kind of bang the rust off here today. ”

Probables for Mariners

Chris Sale, Jose Quintana and Miguel Gonzalez will start in Seattle Monday through Wednesday, in that order. Sale and Quintana will each have nine days rest not counting one inning each in the All-Star Game.


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