Robin Ventura, White Sox pleased with Carlos Rodon’s progress

Carlos Rodon flipped a switch in August, and the White Sox are reaping the reward.

The rookie left-hander is 2-1 with a 2.48 ERA in five starts in August, lowering his season ERA nearly a full point.

The Sox eased Rodon into the major-league grind this season, calling him up as a reliever before inserting him into the rotation. They also skipped his start a few times to limit his innings.

Manager Robin Ventura said the club is happy with Rodon’s workload and would like to see him finish the year in the rotation.

“I would like to see him keep going,” Ventura said. “As far as his first year and how he’s getting through it, it’s been great. His progression has been fine, too.”

The Sox entered the game Saturday against the Mariners six games out of a wild-card spot, though, and skipping Rodon again at some point would make sense to limit his innings.

“We’ll let you know when we get there,” Ventura said.

Rodon hasn’t allowed more than two earned runs or six hits in his last four starts, each of which has gone six innings or more.

Putnam to DL

The Sox put reliever Zach Putnam on the 15-day disabled list with a strained right groin and reinstated Daniel Webb after a DL stint and rehab assignment at Class AAA Charlotte.

Putnam has been dealing with the injury for about a week, and the move is retroactive to

Aug. 27. He pitched one inning of relief Wednesday against the Red Sox and allowed a walk and a run.

“We all wanted me to get back out there as soon as possible,” Putnam said. “And I think with something like this, it was just a little too soon. They can’t be down a man in the bullpen for much longer. Those guys are pretty taxed.”

Putnam has been a solid option out of the bullpen this season, going 3-3 with a 3.07 ERA. He has 55 strikeouts in 41 innings.

Webb went on the DL on

Aug. 5 with a strained right back after going 1-0 with 15 strikeouts in 17 relief appearances. He made three appearances in Charlotte before being reinstated.

This and that

Carson Fulmer, the Sox’ first-round pick in the 2015 draft, threw three scoreless innings for Class A Winston-Salem on Friday. He owns a 2.25 ERA and 22 strikeouts in eight appearances this season.

Adam Eaton entered the game with a .315 average and .399 OBP in his last 32 games.

Chuck Swirsky filled in for Ken “Hawk” Harrelson on the TV broadcast for the second consecutive night. Harrelson has been under the weather.

Follow me on Twitter @davidjustCST.