(670 The Score) The competition for the No. 4 and No. 5 spots in the White Sox’s rotation has become a main focus of the coaching staff and front office as spring training continues in its final weeks.
Lucas Giolito, Dallas Keuchel and Lance Lynn have the first three slots locked down. Behind them, Dylan Cease, Reynaldo Lopez and Carlos Rodon are competing for the final two spots. A decision isn’t imminent, manager Tony La Russa said recently.
Come this weekend, Cease is set to pitch in the Cactus League play for the first time this spring. He arguably has the best stuff of those in the mix at the back end of the White Sox’s rotation. His focus has been on his fastball command in camp.
“There is a heavy emphasis on fastball command,” Cease said. “We are at the point where it's pretty much trying for repeat mode. When I go into my bullpens or starts, it's more about repeating the pitches than working on new stuff now.”
Cease, 25, posted a 4.01 ERA and 1.44 WHIP in 12 starts in 2020. For his part, Lopez struggled a great deal, with a 6.49 ERA and 1.63 WHIP in eight starts in his second straight down season.
On Thursday evening, Lopez was lit up in Cactus League action to the tune of five runs allowed, though he was optimistic afterward.
“I was working on my breaking ball execution,” Lopez said. "It went well overall. I did make a couple of mistakes. Really, I felt good with all of my pitches.”
The No. 3 pick in the 2014 amateur draft, Rodon has been derailed by shoulder and elbow injuries in recent seasons. He and Lopez have been piggy-backed in starts early on this spring.
"I felt good and felt strong,” Rodon said after his first Cactus League competition Thursday. "I just enjoyed getting out there and doing some work.”
The White Sox’s three competitors won’t be drawn into a controversy about who should be the fourth and fifth starters, Rodon said. And with that in mind, La Russa will take the time to see what he needs to see, then make the decision.
"There are three or four starts in these last few weeks for them,” La Russa said. “The competition will determine who it is.”
The White Sox open the regular season with 20 games in 21 days. With that as context, La Russa was asked if they could use six starters for the first few weeks. He acknowledged it’s an option on the table.
"It has been discussed,” La Russa said. “There is an off day when we get to Chicago and then there are a couple of other ways we can give them rest. It will depend on the games they are pitching. A lot of times there is extra stress. That is one thing, but if you factor in a sixth guy you may get rain or cold out. You can regret that decision as well. The answer is we are looking at all of the options.”
Bruce Levine covers the Cubs and White Sox for 670 The Score. Follow him on Twitter @MLBBruceLevine.