March 26--GLENDALE, Ariz. -- White Sox manager Robin Ventura revealed his not-so-well-kept secret Wednesday afternoon at Camelback Ranch.
Sox right-hander Jeff Samardzija will be the club's opening day starter April 6 against the Royals in Kansas City. It will be Samardzija's third straight opening day start for a Chicago team after he started the last two for the Cubs.
Samardzija was acquired in a six-player trade with the Athletics in December, and Ventura said as he got to know his new pitcher, he realized he was the right guy to replace left-hander Chris Sale, who will miss the opener as he recovers from a fractured right foot and sprained ankle.
"Attitude-wise and everything, it suits up well for him to be able to have an opening day," Ventura said. "I think guys will be excited with him to be able to do it. Personality-wise he likes to go after it, and it's a perfect time to do it."
Ventura had tried to stay mum on whether he would pick Samardzija or left-hander Jose Quintana as a replacement for Sale, but Quintana revealed Monday that he expected to start the second game. Samardzija has been lined up in the spring schedule to make the start.
Ventura said Quintana also would have been worthy of the job.
"It's always an honor for those guys to do that," Ventura said. "Jeff's done it before. Bringing him over here, this is part of the reason to bring him over here. Chris was going to be the guy, and if it's not him, it's going to be Jeff. He's ready to go. He would rather do it tomorrow."
