Sox Sort Out Starting Rotation

By Benjy Lipsman in News on Feb 18, 2011 4:00PM

Pitchers and catchers reported to White Sox spring training yesterday, officially kicking off preparations for the 2011 season. With a potential surplus of starting pitching, there were lots of questions about how the rotation would shake out. Sox management wasted little time in clarifying the situation.

The most significant piece of the puzzle is the health of ace Jake Peavy. After detaching his latissimus dorsi muscle in early July, Peavy missed the remainder of the 2010 season. While early prognoses placed his likely return in June, Peavy looks like he'll be ready to go a whole lot sooner. Initial reports from Glendale suggest Peavy may only miss two starts when the season begins -- barring any setbacks.

Following the loss of Peavy last year, Sox GM Kenny Williams went out and acquired Edwin Jackson from the Arizona Diamondbacks to round out the Sox rotation down the stretch. With Mark Buehrle, Gavin Floyd and John Danks, the Sox have a full rotation.

However, the White Sox also have prized prospect Chris Sale, who many thought would be in the hunt for a spot in the starting rotation. Williams settled that situation on Thursday, announcing that his prized lefty prospect will begin the season in the bullpen. By making this decision, Sale can now prepare as if he'll be regularly working in relief. Expect the Sox to use other pitchers when filling Peavy's spot in the rotation before his return.

But will Sale remain in the pen for long? The phenom rose to the majors just two months removed from college, so the high expectations may be justified. If Sale does work his way into the rotation, Jackson might be the odd man out. The often traded right-hander said he'd like to stay in Chicago. Nonetheless, Jackson is a free agent after this season and he could be the most likely to get shipped out when the team needs to shore up weaknesses in its roster or pare back on payroll.