(670 The Score) With a comfortable lead in the AL Central and a desire to monitor the workload of a banged-up pitching staff, the White Sox will continue to give right-hander Reynaldo Lopez starts down the stretch, manager Tony La Russa said.
Lopez is scheduled to pitch Thursday when the White Sox host the Angels. Lopez has made six starts this season, the most recent being last Thursday in Chicago’s loss at Oakland.
The White Sox’s move to a six-man rotation for the time being comes as they try to keep their starters healthy. They’re still deciding how often All-Star left-hander Carlos Rodon should pitch down the stretch, as he has suffered from shoulder fatigue recently. Ace Lance Lynn returned to the mound Sunday after missing time with a right knee ailment, while right-hander Lucas Giolito (left hamstring strain) is expected to pitch Tuesday.
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As the White Sox deal with injury issues, the 27-year-old Lopez has stepped up in a big way. He has a 2.05 ERA in 16 appearances and 44 innings this season. He credited eye surgery on his corneas in May for helping him improve after rough 2019 and 2020 seasons.
“The problem with my eyes was part of it,” Lopez said. “But the adjustments that I made with my mechanics were equally important. I have changed the arm slot location of my release point, and that has helped me a lot.
“I just couldn't see clearly. I really had trouble seeing the signs. I really couldn't throw my pitches with confidence, because I wasn't really sure that it was the pitch the catcher was calling. Thank god we fixed it and now we are using contacts in my eyes.”
Lopez has enjoyed his hybrid role of making spot starts and working out of the bullpen as well.
"I am just an overall better pitcher than I was even in my best season of 2018,” he said. “My experience and understanding of what I am doing out there is so much better. I am very comfortable pitching now. I was not enjoying the game and taking it too seriously. Of course you want to do well, but you must try to enjoy the moment and playing the game. Now I work just as hard, but I am enjoying the game and feel much more relaxed. The other players like (Jose) Abreu have helped me laugh and enjoy the work and the games.”
Bruce Levine covers the Cubs and White Sox for 670 The Score. Follow him on Twitter @MLBBruceLevine.