Sox notes: Johnson called up for Monday DH; Purke happy in debut

By David Just

Erik Johnson will be recalled from Class AAA Charlotte on Monday to pitch the second game of a doubleheader against the Indians, the White Sox announced Saturday.

Johnson has started one game for the Sox this season, surrendering four runs on eight hits in five innings against the Red Sox on May 5.

Johnson has been on and off the active roster, spending April 19-24 with the team but never pitching. He was recalled for the May 5 start and then immediately optioned back to Charlotte.

Per MLB rules, Johnson will be the 26^th man on the active roster. The Sox will send Mat Latos to the mound for the first game of the doubleheader.

Living the dream: Friday night’s Sox loss included a 3 for 25 performance by the first six batters in the lineup and an ejection after the game ended. It was the club’s fifth defeat in six games.

But it was also a dream come true for Matt Purke.

The White Sox reliever made his Major League debut in the 4-1 loss to the Royals, pitching the last 1 1/3 innings. Purke gave up two hits, struck out one and didn’t allow a run. He left the stadium with the game ball.

“It was awesome,” Purke said. “It was definitely my dream to play in the big leagues, and to finally get out there and be able to do that was great.”

The Sox called Purke up from Triple-A Charlotte on May 13 while the team was in New York. The 25-year-old waited more than a week for his first shot, pitching in front of his mother, father and wife on Friday.

“I just really want to get out there and help the guys in any way I can,” he said.

Purke was drafted by the Nationals in the third round of the 2011 draft. The Sox signed him as a minor-league free agent on Nov. 21.

Waiting on Petricka: Sox reliever Jake Petricka will remain on the disabled list a bit longer, manager Robin Ventura said Saturday.

Petricka, on the 15-day DL since May 6 with a right hip impingement, is still feeling soreness in his hip.

“I wouldn’t expect it just to be the 15 days,” Ventura said. “It’s going to be a little bit longer. He still feels something there.”

Tidbits: Melky Cabrera has a hit in 14 consecutive games against the Royals. … Adam Eaton is riding an eight-game hitting streak and has cranked three doubles, three triples and a homer in his last 15 games. … Tyler Saladino extended his hitting streak to a career-high tying seven games with his fifth inning single Saturday.