Humber joins White Sox bullpen

CLEVELAND – Philip Humber, who arguably has been the White Sox’ best starter, has joined the bullpen.

But it’s only temporary.

To avoid having John Danks pitch on eight days rest, pitching coach Don Cooper and manager Ozzie Guillen decided in the aftermath of Saturday’s rainout to put Humber in the pen through Thursday’s off day. Mark Buehrle, Jake Peavy and Danks will pitch against the Tigers, in that order, in the three-game series that begins tonight at U.S. Cellular Field.

“I’m good with it,” said Humber (8-6, 3.27 ERA), who would have started Sunday if not for the rainout. “Whatever they want me to do. I’ve said all along, when they give me the ball, I’ll do the best I can with it. I have a chance to pitch today, tomorrow or the next day so we’ll see what happens.

“We’ve got a bunch of guys throwing the ball well. And hopefully I’ll have an opportunity to help them in the bullpen maybe.”

Guillen, said Humber is “the only [starter] we can use out of the bullpen. Last time we used Peavy out of the bullpen, he got in trouble to come back.”

Peavy had three subpar starts after he pitched in relief on June 25.

Edwin Jackson started for the Sox against the Indians Sunday.