(670 The Score) White Sox manager Tony La Russa has had discussions with his pair of All-Star closers – the newly acquired Craig Kimbrel as well as Liam Hendriks – about their roles and who will be used in save situations.
It’s just that La Russa isn’t sharing all the details yet.
“The day that they're both available, it will be real clear, if we have the lead, who pitches the eighth and who pitches the ninth,” La Russa said Saturday, one day after the White Sox acquired Kimbrel from the Cubs. “It's not going to be a quarterback controversy, and it’s not going to be a closer controversy. It’s going to be, ‘Let's get the outs and let’s get a win. Let’s just keep going forward.”
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La Russa was happy to welcome Kimbrel to the mix, knowing he has a pair of dominant relievers at the back end of a talented bullpen that hadn’t lived up to its own lofty expectations in the first four months of the season. The White Sox on Thursday also acquired reliever Ryan Tepera from the Cubs.
For his part, Hendriks – who has a 2.53 ERA and an American League-best 26 saves this season – is happy to fill any role needed.
“I am excited about adding both Kimbrel and Tepera,” Hendriks said. “I will just wait for the phone to ring, and I will be ready to go. Whenever they call my name, I will be ready to go. There are no egos out there. No one is going to be (upset) with a diminished role or anything like that. I don't think any of us care. We just want to win.”
Kimbrel and his wife previously had a relationship with Hendriks and his wife, so the two stars closers are already familiar with one another. Kimbrel also has recent experience pitching outside of the ninth inning, as the Cubs used him earlier in games as he struggled early in the shortened 2020 season.
Kimbrel has had no such trouble in 2021, producing in dominant fashion with a 0.49 ERA, 0.71 WHIP and 23 saves in 39 appearances for the Cubs.
"I had some practice last year,” Kimbrel said of being used in a role other than that of a closer. "I will know where I need to be in order to get ready. I don't think my routine will change at all. Tony and I knew each other from Boston, and last night he gave me a hug when we saw each other. He asked me how my family was doing, and it made me feel good. We had a great conversation about how things will work. I know the game plan, and now let's go out and make it work.”
La Russa is ready to put the White Sox’s plan into action.
“Both of their willingness to do whatever it takes is exactly the attitude our team has about everything,” La Russa said. “This is a perfect fit.”
Bruce Levine covers the Cubs and White Sox for 670 The Score. Follow him on Twitter @MLBBruceLevine.