Giolito, Cease, Kopech get first three starts of White Sox’ season

GLENDALE, Ariz. — As expected, Lucas Giolito was named the White Sox’ starter for Opening Day on Friday in Detroit. Manager Tony La Russa also said Monday that Dylan Cease will start the second game and Michael Kopech the third.

Lance Lynn, who would’ve been La Russa’s choice to start Friday, is having surgery on his right knee Tuesday and will be out at least eight weeks.

It will be Giolito’s third consecutive Opening Day start.

“It’s under tough circumstances with Lance, but I’d say that I feel ready, prepared, excited for the opportunity,” Giolito said. “This is one of those things that I’ll never take for granted.”

The Sox’ home opener is next Tuesday against the Mariners after a day off. La Russa wouldn’t name starters past the weekend, saying only that Dallas Keuchel would get the fourth or fifth game. Giolito could pitch the fifth game on four days of rest, but pushing starters early in the season likely will be avoided.

Vince Velasquez, who started against the Cubs on Monday, is a possibility to start at the back end, as is Reynaldo Lopez. But those two might be needed in relief with Kopech not expected to go deep in his first start.

Kopech starts the Cactus League finale Tuesday but is slated for only three innings in his second start.

La Russa also didn’t rule out using Kopech in relief in the first two games.

“We’re going to be very open-minded,” La Russa said. “It’s a very different first two months for a lot of reasons.

“All hands on deck that first weekend.”

The 3½-week spring training means most pitchers go into the season with lighter buildups to the regular season than usual.

Giolito will be equipped to throw 90 pitches, although he’s an exception.

“The most important thing, the work he did to get ready for this camp has really been impressive,” La Russa said. “He came in ready to pitch. That’s what you look for at the top of the rotation. Lance did the same thing. They came in ready; they’re accountable. It’s classic stuff.”

Lynn eyes June return

Lynn said he felt a pop and burning sensation in his knee throwing a pitch Saturday night in a game against the Diamondbacks. His surgery will repair a torn tendon.

“You look at what I was dealing with at the end of last year, it’s in the exact same spot,” said Lynn, who was on the injured list last September with right knee inflammation. “Sounds like it was going to go eventually anyway. Better now than at the end of the season, and I’ll be ready for the playoffs.

“Hopefully, I should be ready in June or so if everything goes perfect.”

Lynn said the soreness carried into the beginning of the offseason, “and then it went away.”

He said he had no issues throwing in the offseason and felt strong at the beginning of camp.

“With the buildup in innings and pitches, it popped,” Lynn said.