April 21--Carlos Rodon shook his head and offered a reluctant smile.
The 22-year-old left-hander, dressed in fresh White Sox gear and sporting a new mustache, didn't expect a billboard or a star-studded commercial to welcome him at U.S. Cellular Field.
Four days after the Cubs called up Kris Bryant to much fanfare, the Sox's top prospect arrived on the South Side and wasn't expecting quite the same hype.
"No, I want to be under the radar," he said, before adding, "That's a cool commercial, the Red Bull one."
The Sox do not expect Rodon's impact to be under the radar.
After making just two starts with Triple-A Charlotte, Rodon joined the Sox bullpen Monday for the opener of a three-game series against the Indians. Sox general manager Rick Hahn said Rodon demonstrated his commitment to using his full arsenal -- changeup included -- in that time and proved he was ready for the next step.
"Really this is about him forcing the issue in terms of what's best for his development," Hahn said. "Second, and perhaps almost as important, is it makes us stronger, makes us better."
The Sox will use Rodon out of the bullpen, and Sox manager Robin Ventura said he could pitch multiple innings or be used in lefty matchups. Using him in the bullpen for now helps to maximize his innings just a year out of college, and Rodon said he sees "no difference" being used in relief. He pitched out of the bullpen in one spring outing.
"It was a different routine, but it's doable," Rodon said. "You come out, you throw your best fastballs and you don't really try to pace yourself."
Hahn said Rodon will end up in the rotation when his development and team need dictates it, but he didn't say when that might be. The production of John Danks or Hector Noesi could play a part in the process.
"There is no date on anyone's calendar when he's going to be in the rotation," Hahn said.
Rodon was sitting on his couch with his girlfriend and buddy, laughing at YouTube videos, when he received the phone call from assistant general manager Buddy Bell, relaying a message that was "a dream come true."
He said his experience with the Sox during spring training, when he went 2-0 with a 3.06 ERA, five walks and 21 strikeouts over 17 2/3 innings pitched, will help him feel more comfortable in the big leagues. But he also knows it will be different doing it during games that count.
He plans to keep learning from watching Sox pitchers Chris Sale and Jeff Samardzija, like he did this spring.
"I'm lucky I get to call them my teammates and sit there and watch and take notes," Rodon said. "Those guys are the best, especially Sale. Sale's one of the best left-handers in the game. That's a guy I'd like to be just as good as him, maybe even better."
Having Rodon on the squad should only help a team that started the season 4-7, but Hahn said the timing of his promotion was not about the team's record.
"This is about Carlos' long-term ability to contribute in Chicago and ultimately at the front end of the rotation," Hahn said. "This move would've been made if we were 11-0 right now."
