The White Sox starting rotation, already thin after ace Lucas Giolito, lost perhaps its second-best pitcher Sunday with right-hander Dylan Covey landing on the 10-day injured list (retroactive to June 6) with right shoulder inflammation. Right-handed reliever Thyago Vieira was recalled from Class AAA Charlotte.
Covey, 1-4 with a 4.58 ERA in nine games (seven starts), said Sunday he has been working through soreness his last few starts, and he maxed out at 77 pitches in his last one Wednesday when he threw five innings of two-run ball against the Nationals. He said an MRI showed “nothing alarming.” He’ll be examined Monday in Chicago.
“Kind of been battling some inflammation I guess,” Covey said. “Every four days between starts I’d be getting closer and by the fifth day be good. This last time around couldn’t get that to happen.”
A starter will be needed for one of the two games against the Nationals Monday and Tuesday at Guaranteed Rate Field. Manager Rick Renteria said it won’t be top pitching prospect Dylan Cease.
“Just so everybody is aware it won’t by Dylan Cease,” Renteria said, “so if there is any speculation we can nip that in the bud right now. Dylan will continue to work on what he’s working on down there and when it’s time for him to be here he will be here but it will not be Dylan Cease.”
A bullpen day Monday is a possibility, but that could hinge on how deep into the game Sunday starter Reynaldo gets against the Royals. Manny Banuelos, who was skipped in the rotation last week with two off days on the schedule, is expected to start Monday or Tuesday.
“Today has a big role in how we proceed,” Renteria said.
Vieira, 26, has a 2.08 ERA in three relief appearances over three stints with the Sox this season. He is 3-1 with a 4.87 ERA, four saves and 24 strikeouts in 17 relief appearances with Charlotte in 2019.
Waiting on Cease
Cease, 23, is 5-2 with a 3.46 ERA, 59 strikeouts and 19 walks over 52 innings in his first season at Class AAA Charlotte. The time isn’t right for his major league debut, Renteria said, “because he’s still working.”
“We still have guys down there that want him to continue to do things that puts him in as good a place as possible before he joins us,” Renteria said.
Cease could be called up around the All-Star break, however. But it’s safe to say the Sox will avoid introducing him to the majors during a rugged second half of June when they play the Yankees, Cubs, Rangers, Red Sox and Twins.
Ryan Burr update
Right-hander Ryan Burr (elbow capsule strain), who was on the road trip with the team, will have his elbow re-examined by team physician Nihkil Verma Monday.
“It’s something strange, something that is not right,” Burr said. “We’re waiting to see if it takes care of itself. So [Monday] is like the big day I guess when we figure out which route we’re going to go.
“I really don’t want to get surgery. If that’s what the doctor says, that’s what the doctor says.”
Burr, who made the Opening Day roster, pitched to a 4.58 ERA ERA in 16 games covering 19 2⁄3 innings.
