White Sox' Danks Has Shoulder Muscle Tear

By Benjy Lipsman in News on Jun 19, 2012 2:00PM

The White Sox can expect to be without John Danks in their rotation for a while longer, after the southpaw was diagnosed with a tear in the subscapularis muscle in his left shoulder. A Stage 1 tear, surgery is not required but Danks will get some more rest. Which means it'll be a while before he again takes the mound.

Danks hasn't pitched for the Sox since facing the Cubs on May 19 and felt more soreness two days after making his first minor league rehab start on June 12. Recovery after such an injury can shelve a pitcher for three to six weeks.

Danks absence means that the South Siders have little choice but to stick with their current rotation for now. While Jake Peavy and Chris Sale have looked like All-Stars, Gavin Floyd and Phil Humber both sport ERA's well north of 5. Jose Quintana has been a huge surprise filling in for Danks, with a miniscule 1.53 ERA over five starts and two relief appearances and may have earned himself a permanent spot in the rotation. As long as Danks remains on the DL, however, manager Robin Ventura doesn't really have the option to bump one of the struggling starters to the bullpen.