(670 The Score) Bullpen management will be important for the White Sox after hard-throwing reliever Garrett Crochet landed on the injured list with an upper back strain and as they prepared to host the Tigers in a doubleheader Thursday.
The White Sox's bullpen was viewed as the strength of the team entering the season, but it hasn't lived up to its lofty expectations, carrying a 4.62 ERA into play Thursday, a mark that ranked 24th in MLB. Manager Tony La Russa admitted there have been growing pains for his bullpen and for himself in learning how to best utilize his relievers.
"A lot of this is getting together in our roles and helping guys who have little experience get better," La Russa said. "There are a lot of expectations, and the more they get out there under pressure situations, the more they will learn and understand how to relax and deal."
Fortunately for the White Sox, they're in a stretch with plenty of off days as Crochet has been sidelined. They were off Monday and then had their game Wednesday postponed due to rain, which led to the doubleheader Thursday. The White Sox are also off Monday and again next Thursday. So the high-leverage arms in the bullpen should be well-rested.
"The way we use it depends on who is available on a given day," La Russa said. "Who is really rested, who you prefer to stay away from, that is a variable with a few days off, but going seven innings twice (for the shortened games in a doubleheader), you have to be concerned about. Guys roles have to change because of availability."
As for the 21-year-old Crochet, his fastball velocity has dipped after he commonly hit 101 miles per hour in 2020. Still, that didn't worry La Russa much, as he explained Crochet hitting the injured list was done with caution in mind. Crochet is getting strong results, with a 1.00 ERA in eight appearances.
"There were times during spring training when he felt his delivery was not all together," La Russa said. "We wanted to take precautions and back off now. We are confident 10 days from now he will be fine, knock on wood. There is a lot of attention to guys hitting the upper 90s and 100 miles per hour. But the key to pitching is to command what you throw. He has pitched so little. He is still trying to establish himself as a pitcher. There is a lot of success in front of him if he throws 95-97 and gets the breaking ball and occasional changeup over, then he's a star. If you try to throw harder to get a big number on the board, that can be counterproductive."
Bruce Levine covers the Cubs and White Sox for 670 The Score. Follow him on Twitter @MLBBruceLevine.
