Carlos Rodon was rocked for eight runs, including seven in the fourth inning Friday, during his third rehab start for Triple-A Charlotte.
But the White Sox insist the left-hander is close to being ready to roll after spending all season on the disabled list with bursitis in his left forearm.
Sox manager Rick Renteria said Saturday that Rodon's next start likely will be with the big-league club and that the team will stick to a five-man rotation, meaning change is on the horizon.
"Actually, he threw pretty well," Renteria said of Rodon, who allowed seven earned runs, five hits, two walks and struck out seven in 41/3 innings. "He had a couple of miscues in the field that probably limited his outing. He felt good, pain-free. We're very happy with that."
The 24-year-old has made four rehab starts, including three for Charlotte, for whom he is 0-3 with a 9.22 ERA in 17 innings.
He told the Durham (N.C.) Herald-Sun after Friday's game that he was ready to return to the White Sox.
"My arm is coming back," Rodon said. "Everything seems healthy. (Friday) was a big step. I'm ready to go back up there. It's just up to them."
Rodon's numbers aren't at the forefront of the White Sox's concerns nearly as much as his health and progression.
"He's getting better, absolutely," Renteria said. "It was unfortunate that he was unable to break 2017 with us, but he's going to come back and hopefully continue to improve. He's a horse."
