Left-hander Hector Santiago, who allowed one run on three hits over five innings in his first major league start against the Twins on Monday, will likely start for the White Sox against the Royals on Sunday, manager Robin Ventura said.
Santiago said having a start under his belt can only be a plus.
“It’s huge,” he said Wednesday. “You know what to expect going out there starting a game. Now you just hope you get deeper into the game.”
Having been the closer early in the season should also help him as a starter.
“Closing is the biggest situation in the game,” Santiago said. “Starting has a lot to do with it because you have to keep the lead to get to that situation. You’re in the ninth inning with a lead, you’ve got more pressure than anybody on the field right there. If you can handle that, you can handle being a starter.”
Santiago, who is one on of the most athletic pitchers on the team, was disappointed he didn’t get to play left field late in Tuesday’s 18-9 blowout loss. He was told to get ready when left fielder Dewayne Wise prepared to pitch. Instead, third-string catcher Hector Gimenez played left field in the ninth.
Wise was in the starting lineup in Wednesday afternoon’s series finale against the Twins. Wise played center field in place of Alejandro De Aza and led off. Jake Peavy is the Sox starting pitcher, opposed by right-hander P.J. Walters.
Wednesday’s lineup:
Wise CF
Youkilis 3B
Dunn DH
Konerko 1B
Rios RF
Pierzynski C
Viciedo LF
Ramirez SS
Beckham 2B.
