Adam Eaton could have started Game 1 of Saturday’s doubleheader if the White Sox had to push him.
But it’s still late May, so the Sox aren’t taking chances with the 32-year-old outfielder.
Eaton, who left Wednesday’s game with a tight hamstring and didn’t play Thursday, was not in the lineup Friday and isn’t in Saturday’s either. Sox manager Tony La Russa said Eaton is improving, but wanted to be cautious with the veteran outfielder.
“We’re trying to get him as much rest as we can to get him 100 percent,” La Russa said. “He’s probably 80-85 percent, which is playable. A lot of season ahead, we’d like to get him to 100 if we can.”
Jake Lamb is hitting sixth and playing right.
What a grind
Already in the middle of a busy period, Saturday’s twinbill was the beginning of a stretch of five games in three days. But La Russa wasn’t thinking too far ahead, and wanted to get through each game before turning his mind to the next.
“You get ready for Game 1 today and when that’s over you don’t think about two games,” La Russa said. “You play the second one. You play Sunday without thinking about Monday.”
Rainouts are a part of life, and now doubleheaders are more palatable because each game is seven innings. La Russa, despite his well-earned reputation as an old-school manager, has come out in favor of starting extra innings with a runner on second base, and on Saturday he lauded the switch to doubleheader games being seven innings apiece.
“You know when a season starts, unless you’re in a domed stadium or out west, that you’re going to have some difficult makeup days. I’m just, going through this, just thankful they’re seven innings. That really works.”
In brief
Pitcher Zack Burdi was recalled from Triple-A Charlotte to serve as the 27th man. Burdi is 0-1 with a 4.26 ERA in five appearances with Charlotte.
His lone outing with the Sox this year came on April 19 against Boston when he gave up two runs (one earned) in three innings.
*Saturday was already the Sox’ fourth doubleheader of the year, with the fifth coming Monday in Cleveland.
