The White Sox optioned struggling right-hander Reynaldo Lopez to their Schaumburg training facility Thursday and recalled left-hander Bernardo Flores Jr.
López, 26, was being counted on as the Sox’ No. 3 starter and a key to the Sox’ success this season but he’s out of the rotation with an 0-2 record and 8.38 ERA over four starts. He lasted only 1 2⁄3 innings in the Sox’ 8-1 loss to the Twins Wednesday night and hasn’t pitched more than four innings in four starts.
With their two last off days of the season coming up Monday and next Thursday, a fifth starter won’t be needed for 14 days. In order, Dylan Cease, Dane Dunning, Lucas Giolito and Dallas Keuchel will start against the Royals in a four-game series Thursday through Sunday.
Lopez was the Sox’ best starter in 2018 when he posted a 3.91 ERA in 32 starts but regressed to a 5.38 ERA in 33 starts last season. A sore shoulder landed him on the injured list after his first start this season, in which he did not finish the first inning in the Sox’ third game of the season, against the Twins.
Lopez said he was prepared to throw 90 pitches Wednesday, 20 more than his season high of 70 against the Royals in his last start.
“Honestly, I don’t understand the reason why [manager Rick Renteria] pulled me out of the game in the second inning,” Lopez said. “I guess he has his reason, but I don’t understand. I guess it was the best for our team, but I don’t really understand why.”
Lopez allowed three runs (one earned) on four hits including Jake Cave’s home run. He walked two batters.
Flores, 24, has no major league experience and will likely be used out of the bullpen. He was 27-26 with a 3.18 ERA over four seasons in the Sox minor-league system after being selected in the seventh round of the 2016 draft out of USC.
Flores was with the Sox as the 29th man for a doubleheader on August 15 against the Cardinals but did not pitch.
Tim Anderson is Sox’ Clemente Award nominee
Shortstop Tim Anderson is the Sox’ nominee for the Roberto Clemente Award, given to the player that best represents baseball through extraordinary character, community involvement, philanthropy and positive contributions, on and off the field.
Anderson and his wife, Bria, created the League of Leaders community outreach program four years ago to instill leadership skills in youth affected by violence. The program was started after Anderson’s close friend Branden Moss was shot and killed trying to help an assault victim.
Anderson has also been active with the the Sox’ Amateur City Elite (ACE) baseball program, teamed with Mayor Lightfoot to make public service announcement on gun violence and was in the “#Players4BLM” video featuring current and former Black players supporting the Black Lives Matter message and “One team. One dream.”
