White Sox notes: Montas, Saladino, Hahn on trade deadline, Fulmer

The White Sox might get a look at prospect Frankie Montas, he of the 100-plus miles per hour fastball, in Friday’s day-night doubleheader against the Kansas City Royals. Montas, called up from AA Birmingham as a 26th man for the split twinbill, will be active for both games.

Montas, a 22-year-old right-hander, owns a 2-1 record with a 2.47 ERA and 62 strikeouts over 73 innings at Birmingham, where he has made 15 starts. Ranked as the Sox’ No. 5 prospect by Baseball America, Montas came from Boston in the three-team trade two years ago that sent Jake Peavy to the Red Sox and brought Avisail Garcia from the Tigers.

Montas, who will wear uniform No. 60 Friday, called it a “dream come true.”

“They called me into the office and let me know that I had been called up to the big leagues,” Montas said. “And I was like ‘For real?’ ”

“I was like ‘I can’t believe it. I’m finally going to the show.’ And when they said you’ve been called up to the big leagues, I was like ‘Man don’t play like that. Are you serious?’ ”Montas will return to Birmingham.“It wouldn’t shock me if it were similar to Jose Quintana, who originally came up for the one 26-man experience and then returned,” general manager Rick Hahn said, “if Montas followed the same path and we see him again at some point this season.”Montas said he is working on his fastball command and secondary pitches, including a changeup.As a starter, Montas can pitch in short relief and would also be able to cover a long-relief stint if needed.“You’re excited about the kid,” manager Robin Ventura said. “It’s a good opportunity for him to come up here, and we also get to take a look at him.”Without Montas, the Sox still have 11 pitchers as they did against the Cubs last weekend. Ventura said the Sox will get through Saturday and Sunday with 11 and then add another pitcher after Monday’s off day.Saladino stays in lineupTyler Saladino started his fourth straight game at third base since being called up from AAA Charlotte. Saladino batted ninth instead of second, with Jose Abreu moving back to the 2-hole with the designated hitter (Adam LaRoche) back in play.Saladino was 2-for-10 with an RBI triple and made all the plays at third base, a position that has been a problem for the Sox between Conor Gillaspie struggling in the field and Gordon Beckham batting .195. It’s possible Saladino stays when another pitcher is added to the 25-man roster.“He handled himself great in that series,” Ventura said. “That’s a big series to come into. He handled it like a pro. He came up, played a good third base, got some big hits for us. The first game, defensively helped us, and the second game was leading off with his first hit, which is exciting enough, but the fact you do it in that game and it’s your second game in the big leagues, it’s a fun moment for him. It really is.”“Just freaking play”With the trade deadline approaching and the Sox (41-45) barely clinging to a chance at climbing into the playoff picture with nine wins in the last 12 games, Ventura — on the first day back after the All-Star break — is getting annoyed at questions about the team’s chance for survival. When a reporter mentioned that the team has played better and could make decisions for general manager Rick Hahn more challenging, Ventura said, “Well you hope so but there’s still two weeks left. I know everybody looks at the trade deadline but we were playing better before that.“Every week people are going to ask if you’re going to set the tone or change somebody’s opinion — we’re just going to freaking play. That’s all. We’re going to play hard. I’mtired of the question — Is this week? Is this not the week? Every day is the day and the week.”Hahn said he and vice president Ken Williams have plans for more than one scenario, including adding instead of selling as the deadline approaches.“We haven’t ruled out anything,” Hahn said Friday. “We’ve had conversations as recently as this week about potential additions to this club. Let’s see how things play out. In the end we’re going to have to do what makes the most sense, base on how we’re playing, the number of teams we have to jump over and the likelihood of being able to jump over them. If I did it from an emotional or fan standpoint, we want to be aggressive we want to add. We want to help this team sitting right here win.“However, it’s part of the responsibility of this position to be objective and look at the long term benefit of the club and do what makes the most sense objectively given the situation that we’ve played ourselves in. We haven’t ruled out anything.”Sale to pitch Sunday

Chris Sale will in fact pitch Sunday in the series finale, following Jeff Samardzija and John Danks in Friday’s split doubleheader and Jose Quintana Saturday. Sale, who did not pitch in the All-Star Game, will go on seven days rest. Carlos Rodon will make his 15th start against the Cardinals Tuesday on 10 days rest. Rodon had nine days between his 12th and 13th starts. The Sox are monitoring the rookie’s workload, but he has also dealt with blister issues on his pitching hand in recent starts.

Fulmer to make pro debut

First-round draft pick Carson Fulmer will make his professional debut on Saturday in the Arizona Rookie League. Fulmer will make his way to Class A Winston-Salem soon, Hahn said.

“He’s in a little different situation than Carlos in that he comes to us [from Vanderbilt] with about 30 odd more inning than Carlos had his junior year (at North Carolina State),’’ Hahn said. “So that’s going to play a role in how far and how deep he pitches this season. But he’s similar from an ability standpoint and the chance to move quickly.”