White Sox notebook: Sox skipping Carlos Rodon's next start

The White Sox will skip Carlos Rodon’s next turn in the rotation and let Hector Noesi start in his place Monday against the Blue Jays.

The change is not a permanent one, but manager Robin Ventura wouldn’t say how many starts Noesi would make. The Sox are trying to ease Rodon into the rotation and limit his innings during his rookie season.

“We’ll be able to give Rodon that time,” manager Robin Ventura said, “to give him a stretch to where you can give him that rest.”

Rodon took Noesi’s place in the rotation following a spot start May 9 against the Reds. Two of his three outings have been quality starts, and Rodon has struck out 17 batters in 16 innings as a starter.

Noesi made four starts before Rodon bumped him from the rotation. He went 0-3 with a 6.06 ERA in those starts, and the Sox lost all four of those games. He’s made two appearances as a reliever, pitching 1 1/3 innings without allowing a run.

Noesi threw the last inning of the loss against the Indians on Thursday.

“Looking at him last night, his velocity was a lot more,” Ventura said of Noesi. “I think any guy that goes from starting to the pen, even though he’s got one inning, he probably added a couple miles to his fastball.”

Noesi has allowed 11 earned runs in 16 1/3 innings lifetime against Toronto.

Garcia out with knee inflammation: Right fielder Avisail Garcia was a late scratch from the lineup Friday due to inflammation in his right knee.

Garcia’s knee has been bothering him since last weekend’s series in Oakland. He had been the offense’s most reliable player in May, but his production has fallen off since that series. He’s 1 for 14 on the homestand after going 11 for 21 with two home runs and seven RBI in his previous five games.

J.B. Shuck replaced Garcia in the lineup and batted seventh.

Garcia leads the Sox in batting average (.319) and hits (46), and he ranks among the American League leaders in both categories.

Sox trade Surkamp: The Sox traded minor-league reliever Eric Surkamp to the Dodgers on Friday in exchange for Double-A right-hander Blake Smith.

Smith, a second-round pick by the Dodgers in 2009, owns a 1.62 ERA in 16 relief appearances this season at Double-A Tulsa. He has 16 strikeouts in 16 2/3 innings.

Surkamp appeared in 35 games last season but hasn’t pitched for the club in 2015. He opened the season on the disabled list and was designated for assignment on April 11.

Abreu fine after pinched finger: Team trainers checked in on Jose Abreu during an at-bat Thursday after a swing and miss. Ventura said Abreu pinched his finger and was fine.

The slugger hit a 380-foot liner to center field after being checked out.

Abreu, who extended his hitting streak to 17 games Friday, was in the starting lineup and played first base.

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