(670 The Score) With the White Sox in line to begin the playoffs on Oct. 7, question marks loom about left-hander Carlos Rodon’s health and what role he could fill.
Rodon experienced soreness in his left shoulder while going only three innings and throwing 69 pitches in taking a no-decision in the White Sox’s 4-3 loss to the Tigers on Monday evening. He has been plagued by shoulder fatigue dating back to August, and the prolonged ailment has created uncertainty about how he fits into the White Sox’s vision in the playoffs.
For now, the hope is that Rodon is healthy enough to make one more start in the regular season – on Sept. 28. How that outing goes figures to go a long way in determining his role in the playoffs.
“I think that is why he must go back on the mound and evaluate that,” manager Tony La Russa said. "We assume he will make one of those (playoff rotation) spots, but yesterday was not a good day. So he will have another shot next Tuesday. We hope there will be a better result so we can be more optimistic.”
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Rodon has had eight and then nine days of rest before his two most recent starts as the White Sox have carefully managed his workload.
“We are definitely concerned,” La Russa said. “Yesterday was Monday, so on normal rest he would pitch with four days rest. We are not doing that. He is getting twice that much. So this is a pattern. We have had given him extra rest, and that has really worked. He has taken the extra time to stay sharp and stay strong. He made a lot of pitches last night. Maybe a lack of command explains why it was such an effort. Hesitation is a good word. We are not assuming anything.”
“He lost command (Monday). He was struggling and actually was fortunate to only give up three runs. He came back into the dugout and said something wasn't right.”
Rodon is 12-5 with a 2.47 ERA and 0.97 WHIP in 127 2/3 innings across 23 starts this season. He was one of the best pitchers in MLB in the first half, compiling a 1.83 ERA in his first 12 starts. Rodon also threw a no-hitter on April 14.
Since July 24, Rodon has made seven starts and hasn’t gone longer than five innings or thrown more than 89 pitches in any of them. He was on the injured list for about two weeks in August with shoulder fatigue.
On Monday night, he expressed less concern than La Russa did about his health.
“It's just normal soreness, nothing crazy,” Rodon said.
La Russa continues to hope for the best while planning for the worst.
“We are going to be as optimistic as we can,” La Russa said of Rodon. “We hope it works out. If not, we will make an adjustment.”
Bruce Levine covers the Cubs and White Sox for 670 The Score. Follow him on Twitter @MLBBruceLevine.