Geovany Soto scratched from lineup as elbow flares up again

A second setback doesn’t seem to bode well for White Sox catcher Geovany Soto, who was scratched from the lineup Tuesday with more right-elbow soreness.

After being limited to 26 games with the Angels in 2016 because of knee injuries, Soto, 34, who played in 78 games for the Sox in 2015, was brought back on a minor-league contract in the offseason and lasted 10 days before going on the disabled list April 13 with an inflamed elbow.

Since coming back April 22, Soto has caught in eight of 16 games, splitting time with Omar Narvaez, who was inserted into the starting lineup.

Soto has provided veteran leadership for Narvaez while batting .190 with three homers and nine RBI in 13 games.

Putnam optimistic

Reliever Zach Putnam, who missed the recent road trip after going on the DL on April 25 with right elbow inflammation, is expected to resume throwing on Wednesday. Putnam (1.04 ERA) has allowed one run in seven relief appearances.

• Carlos Rodon continues to work his way back from biceps bursitis and has thrown off a mound in Arizona, but the Sox are offering few details about the left-hander.

“At this point, on Carlos, I’m only comfortable telling you he continues to progress in his throwing program,’’ general manager Rick Hahn said.

Staying with Covey

Dylan Covey, who’s 0-3 with an 8.28 ERA and a 10.04 ERA in his last four starts, will start again this weekend against the Padres, Renteria said.

“It’s something the organization would have to reassess if we were going to do something,’’ Renteria said. “But right now we’re still on track to continue to have him where he’s at.’’

All quiet on the trading front

Hahn on the climate of trade discussions: “There are conversations going on, but they probably pick up a little more after the [June 12-14] draft. Right now teams are mostly out scouting and preparing for the draft. Once that comes and goes the volume of calls tends to pick up.”

Hahn reiterated what he said in March that he would not hesitate to deal across town with the Cubs.

This and that

Twins third baseman Miguel Sano served a one-game suspension for what Major League Baseball termed “aggressive actions” against the Tigers on April 23.

• Willy Garcia made his first start in center field.

Follow me on Twitter @CST_soxvan.

Email: dvanschouwen@suntimes.com

RELATED STORIES

Twins deal White Sox fourth loss in row

Hahn expects bidding for Luis Robert to be ‘robust’