SURPRISE, Ariz. — A second opinion on left-hander Carlos Rodon’s upper left biceps Monday indicated no structural damage, the White Sox said Tuesday morning. Rodon was diagnosed with bursitis and will be placed on a throwing program for the next two weeks before being reevaluated.
Rodon, who was seen by Los Angeles-based Dr. Neal ElAttrache, was with teammates in the Sox clubhouse at Camelback Ranch on Tuesday morning and appeared to be in good spirits. An MRI exam Friday had showed no structural damage.
“For sure, it was reassuring,” Rodon said Tuesday, “especially going to see the second doctor, and everything ended up well. Our training staff does a great job. Thank God for them.”
Biceps bursitis is a condition that results from inflammation of a bursa, a fluid-filled sac that cushions the shoulder joint. Rodon will open the season on the disabled list. He said he expects to stay at extended spring training.
“I’ll play catch tomorrow, play catch the whole week, keep on building,” he said, “and I’ll eventually get on the mound sometime.”
Good news for Petricka, too
X-rays on the right hand of right-hander Jake Petricka, who was struck on the outside of his throwing hand by a line drive Monday in a game against the Los Angeles Dodgers, were negative. Petricka was headed out to the field to play catch, “and seeing how far I can push it because it’s up to tolerance,” he said.
Petricka has come back from hip surgery. He was not a happy camper when he got hit.
“I was upset at the time because last outing, I didn’t want to end that way,” he said. “We’re all good to go. Just a little bruise, and we’ll work through it.”
Bullpen set
Left-handers Cory Luebke and Matt Purke were reassigned to minor-league camp, leaving 15 pitchers in camp with one day left in Arizona. Zack Burdi, who struck out three in one inning, will likely go to Class AAA Charlotte to start the season, while Juan Minaya (abdominal strain) and Rodon will start on the disabled list.
The bullpen: David Robertson, Nate Jones, Petricka, Zach Putnam, lefty Dan Jennings, Michael Ynoa and Anthony Swarzak. Dylan Covey shapes up as the likely fifth starter in Rodon’s absence behind (in order) Jose Quintana, James Shields, Derek Holland and Miguel Gonzalez.
Pierzynski full time for FOX
A.J. Pierzynski will serve as a full-time analyst on FOX Sports this season, doing color work and appearing on “MLB Whiparound.” The FOX job unofficially signals the end of a 19-year career for the catcher of the Sox’ 2005 World Series championship team.
Pierzynski played in more than 100 games from 2001 to 2015 and batted .280 with 188 homers.
Follow me on Twitter @CST_soxvan.
Email: dvanschouwen@suntimes.com
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