The White Sox have run into another speed bump on their road to Dyersville Iowa. Just when it looked like the White Sox were returning to full strength the team announced Wednesday that Carlos Rodón was placed on the 10-day IL with left shoulder fatigue.
Rodón Placed On 10-Day IL
Rodón was scheduled to start the Field of Dreams game in Dyersville Iowa, against the Yankees Thursday. The move is retroactive to Sunday meaning that Rodón could be activated as early as August 18th if he is feeling well.
This news comes after an 11 strikeout performance against the Cubs at Wrigley Field. Rodón was pitching on an extra day’s rest and was chucking fastballs as hard as 98 mph in the first inning.
After two uncharacteristic outings for Rodón in Milwaukee and Kansas City, Steve Stone said that Rodón was facing some dead arm fatigue which is common around this time of year. The news that he is on the IL with shoulder fatigue should not come as a surprise especially considering how hard he was throwing for five innings against the Cubs.
Rodón has had injury problems in the past including Tommy John surgery and shoulder surgery. Unfortunately, this injury comes in the middle of a resurgent season for the southpaw. The 28-year old threw a no-hitter in April and has posted a career-best 2.38 ERA. He has also enjoyed a 36.2% strikeout rate which is the best amongst AL pitchers with at least 100 innings pitched.
Lynn To Start On Friday
Matt Foster was called up from Charlotte in a corresponding move. Foster has a 5.64 ERA this season in 28 appearances. After posting a solid 2.20 ERA in 2020 he has been relegated to mop of duty with the big league club and has bounced up and down from Triple-A.
In wake of the Rodón announcement, Lance Lynn will get the ball for the Field of Dreams contest instead. Lynn is a good consultation prize. He has been the White Sox best starting pitcher this season. He is also the front runner for American League Cy Young. Lynn’s 2.04 ERA is the lowest in baseball. He also leads the White Sox with 10 wins.
Prior to today’s series finale at MIN, the Sox made the following 3 roster moves:
– Placed Carlos Rodón on the 10-day IL (retroactive to 8/8) with left shoulder fatigue;
– Recalled Matt Foster from Charlotte;
– Sent Yasmani Grandal to Birmingham on an injury rehab. assignment.— Chicago White Sox (@whitesox) August 11, 2021
Tony La Russa Will Not Be In Attendance
In other news, Tony La Russa will not be in the dugout for the White Sox Field of Dreams game either. His absence is due to a funeral he is attending for his sister’s husband. Miguel Cairo will serve as interim manager during the game.
Cairo is in his first season as White Sox bench coach. He will be managing against his former organization, the Yankees. He served as the infield coordinator for their minor league system from 2018-2020.
However, there is some good news. The White Sox announced that Yasmani Grandal is heading to Birmingham to begin a rehab assignment. Grandal could be seen running the bases and taking batting practice at Wrigley Field. Having his power bat back in the lineup will be a nice jolt for a team that has seen both of their backup catchers struggle offensively.
