Carlos Rodon likely will return to the White Sox’ rotation soon. On Sunday, Dylan Covey made his case to keep starting when Rodon comes back.
In his fourth rehab start (third with Class AAA Charlotte), Rodon threw 92 pitches, allowed six hits and two runs and struck out eight in five innings. Rodon’s next start on regular rest would be Friday, though manager Rick Renteria didn’t say if the left-hander’s next appearance would be in the majors or minors.
As for Covey, he lowered his ERA to 2.82 by going five innings and giving up one unearned run. He struck out seven.
“Definitely I’ve figured some things out,’’ Covey said. ‘‘From spring training this year and going forward, I think I get a little bit better every outing. Even in Triple-A, I was getting better every outing, and I’m just going to keep working hard and doing what I’m doing, and hopefully things keep working out for me.”
Right is right?
Yoan Moncada has been almost two different hitters this season.
Entering the game, Moncada was hitting .268 with a .348 on-base percentage and .493 slugging percentage off right-handed pitchers. But against lefties, the switch-hitting Moncada was slashing just .167/.241/.229.
Because of that, Renteria had Tim Anderson lead off and Moncada bat sixth against Brewers left-hander Brent Suter. The move paid off for Moncada, who had a triple and a walk against Suter before striking out in the eighth against lefty Dan Jennings.
Asked about Moncada’s right-handed at-bats, Renteria said “a couple were OK,” but “there’s still some work to be done.”
“I think it’s still the soft stuff down out of the zone a little bit,’’ Renteria said. ‘‘He’ll continue to adjust. The looks when he comes into the dugout are more a curiosity look in terms of what he might be thinking about, what he might do the next time. He’s a work in progress.”
Friends and competitors
Named the Sox’ May minor-league pitcher of the month, Class A right-hander Blake Battenfield is one of many prospects who sees an opportunity to make his mark in a rebuilding organization. Pitching at Kannapolis, Battenfield went 4-0 with a 1.16 ERA in five starts to earn the award.
And, like other prospects, Battenfield is trying to move up, something that can lead to competition among teammates.
“It’s a weird feeling knowing, ‘OK, I want guys, especially on the Intimidators right now because I’m really good friends with all of them, to do well,” he said. “But you are still competing for the same job. It’s a weird complex.”
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This and that
Chris Volstad got the win even though he didn’t retire a batter. With two outs in the sixth and Volstad on the mound to face his first batter, Alfredo Gonzalez caught Milwaukee’s Jonathan Villar stealing. The Sox then scored three in the bottom of the inning to take the lead for good, and Volstad was replaced by Joakim Soria to start the seventh.
† Bob Uecker joined Ken “Hawk” Harrelson for the bottom of the third and top of the fourth innings on Channel 9.
† Class AA reliever Brad Goldberg, who appeared in 11 games for the Sox last year, was dealt to the Diamondbacks for cash considerations.
