Designated hitter Adam LaRoche was scratched from the lineup with patella tendinitis in his right knee Monday. J.B. Shuck was penciled in at right field, moving Avisail Garcia to DH.
Catcher Tyler Flowers was hit on the left hand with a Trevor Bauer pitch during the fourth inning and later left the game. X-Rays were negative and he is day-to-day. Flowers was also jarred on the second pitch when he took a foul tip off his facemask.
Here is how the Sox lined up for their Labor Day matinee against the Cleveland Indians at U.S. Cellular Field:
Adam Eaton CF, Alexei Ramirez SS, Jose Abreu 1B, Melky Cabrera LF, Avisail Garcia DH, J.B. Shuck RF, Mike Olt 3B, Carlos Sanchez 2B, Tyler Flowers C
Starting with six
Manager Robin Ventura said Erik Johnson, who allowed three runs over six innings in the Sox’ victory over the Royals Sunday, will get more starts in a “semi” six-man rotation. As of now, Ventura said the rotation isn’t set beyond Wednesday. Rookie Frankie Montas also figures to get a start in September, Ventura said.
“It will probably be a semi-six man rotation in a way,” Ventura said. “You can get everybody an extra day. You can kind of play games with it and slot guys a little bit differently if you need to.”
The Sox have been saying all along that rookie Carlos Rodon, who has pitched 118 innings, could finish out the season without missing any starts. Ventura said it’s possible but it might depend on where the Sox are at in the standings with a a week or so to go.
“Can he go to the end of year? Yeah, I think he can go to the end of the year,” Ventura said. “I don’t think he’s gotten to that point where he’s hit a wall or we’re in a numbers crunch or anything like that. But if we get to a point where we need to use him, we can use him and you get to a point where you want to take care of him, you take care of him.”
Mathematically in it
The Sox entered the day riding a four-game winning streak after sweeping three games from Kansas City over the weekend, and they trailed the Texas Rangers by six games in the American League wild card. Ventura steered clear of even talking about the team’s slim chances — perhaps because there are five teams between the Sox and Rangers.
“Just play today,” Ventura said. “Try to win today’s game.
“I think every time that comes up we don’t play very well. Just continue to play and win today’s game.“We haven’t changed. These guys are the ones going out doing it. They are out on the field. They continue to grind and play hard. You want to see good things for them. They continue to keep getting after it.”In with the OltMike Olt, claimed on waivers from the Cubs Saturday, was back in the lineup at third base a second straight game. Olt was 2-for-4 in his Sox debut Sunday. Olt was 0-for-3 with a strikeout and a walk.“I want to see him. I want to see him play,” Ventura said. “He came in ready to go and I would rather have him get in there and get his feet wet and see where he’s at.”Olt’s playing time means less for third baseman Tyler Saladino, who could get more looks at shortstop but not while Alexei Ramirez (.377 over his last 15 games) is hitting.“It doesn’t mean Sal’s not going to play there anymore. But I think Mike is going to get enough of a shot to get a good look at him.”Addressing third base is one of the more pressing issues facing the Sox as they ahead to 2016, so this opportunity is an open door for Olt.“This will be a big month for me,” Olt said. “We definitely have some guys here who are well equipped for the job. It’s something I’m going to have to work hard for and continue to push.”
Feel the burn
Ryan Raburn has 81 RBI against the White Sox. His next highest RBI total against one team is 25 against the Royals. Raburn also became the first player to hit two homers in a game against Chris Sale.
