WHITE SOX HEADLINES OF SEPTEMBER 7, 2016 · CHICAGO -- Miguel Gonzalez's first start since Aug. 11 not only helped his current White Sox team, but it also lent a helping hand to his

WHITE SOX HEADLINES OF SEPTEMBER 7, 2016 “Abreu homers as Gonzalez, Sox blank Tigers” … Scott Merkin and Brian Hedger, MLB.com “Gonzalez, Sox not about to throw in towel” … Scott Merkin, MLB.com “Fulmer, Burdi not among White Sox callups” … Scott Merkin, MLB.com “Shields eyes Saturday start, solid finish to ‘16” … Scott Merkin, MLB.com “Abreu honored as Clemente Award nominee” … Scott Merkin, MLB.com “Vets Quintana, Anibal duel in Sox-Tigers finale” … Brian Hedger, MLB.com “Miguel Gonzalez sharp in return as White Sox shut out Tigers” … Dan Hayes, CSN Chicago “Workload played a role as White Sox send Zack Burdi, Carson Fulmer home for offseason” … Dan Hayes, CSN Chicago “Back on track: White Sox think James Shields will make next start” … Dan Hayes, CSN Chicago “Jose Abreu is White Sox Roberto Clemente Award nominee” … Dan Hayes, CSN Chicago “Tuesday’s recap: Tigers 5, White Sox 3” … Colleen Kane, Chicago Tribune “Hoping for solid finish to season, James Shields plans to make next start” … Colleen Kane, Chicago Tribune “Prospects Zack Burdi and Carson Fulmer won’t join White Sox this month” … Colleen Kane, Chicago Tribune “Gonzalez, Abreu lead White Sox to 2-0 victoy over Tigers” … Daryl Van Schouwen, Chicago Sun-Times “White Sox notes: Hahn on Ventura, staff; Abreu a Clemente nominee” … Daryl Van Schouwen, Chicago Sun-Times “Shields staying, Fulmer and Burdi staying away” … Daryl Van Schouwen, Chicago Sun-Times “White Sox recall Jason Coats, Leury Garcia, Blake Smith” … Daryl Van Schouwen, Chicago Sun-Times “Gonzalez returns, gives Chicago White Sox a solid start ” … Scot Gregor, Daily Herald “Chicago White Sox will see Fulmer, Burdi in spring training” … Scot Gregor, Daily Herald “White Sox, Gonzalez stifle Tigers 2-0” … Paul Ladewski, Associated Press “Struggling Shields vows to keep pitching despite back pain” … Mike Cranston, Associated Press “White Sox tame Tigers behind strong pitching performance” … Jon Greenberg, The Athletic “Levine: James Shields asks for mulligan from White Sox fans” … Bruce Levine, CBS Chicago “Levine: Will White Sox keep or move Jose Abreu?” … Bruce Levine, CBS Chicago

Abreu homers as Gonzalez, Sox blank Tigers

By Scott Merkin and Brian Hedger / MLB.com | September 6th, 2016

CHICAGO -- Miguel Gonzalez's first start since Aug. 11 not only helped his current White Sox team, but it also lent a helping hand to his previous Orioles squad. The right-hander hurled 6 1/3 innings of six-hit ball in his return from the disabled list due to a right groin strain, shutting down the Tigers in a 2-0 victory at a muggy U.S. Cellular Field on Tuesday night. Baltimore cruised past the Rays, 11-2, and grabbed sole possession of the second American League Wild Card, with the Tigers falling one game back. Gonzalez allowed six hits and struck out four, pitching out of jams in the third and the fourth. Miguel Cabrera singled and Victor Martinez singled when left fielder Melky Cabrera lost the ball in the lights to

open the fourth, but Gonzalez struck out J.D. Martinez and Justin Upton and retired Casey McGehee on a routine fly ball. "I think the most important thing is trying not to do too much when you're out there," Gonzalez said. "It's been awhile since I've gotten off the mound and pitched a real game. Being able to control that and make my pitches was the biggest thing tonight." J.D. Martinez and McGehee singled with one out in the seventh, ending Gonzalez's night at 91 pitches. Dan Jennings entered and walked Jarrod Saltalamacchia on four pitches to load the bases and threw his first two pitches out of the zone to pinch-hitter JaCoby Jones. But Jennings fired the next three pitches past Jones, and Nate Jones struck out Cameron Maybin to end the threat after replacing Jennings. Matt Boyd was sharp for the Tigers, allowing two runs on eight hits over seven innings. Jose Abreu's home run and Omar Narvaez's single to score Jason Coats served as the White Sox offense. "Pitching was the story, really," Detroit manager Brad Ausmus said. "Both starting pitchers did a nice job. Gonzalez was able to keep us at bay today. We just couldn't do much against him, and then the guys came out of the bullpen and did the same." The White Sox improved to 66-72, as they once again avoided a season low-water mark of eight under .500. MOMENTS THAT MATTERED Another day, another long ball: Abreu's solo home run leading off the second was his 23rd and his team-high 87th RBI. Abreu has reached base safely in 32 of his past 33 games, knocking out 12 homers and driving in 31 during that time. Atta Boyd: The rookie lefty was recalled from Triple-A Toledo on Tuesday, after being optioned there as a procedural move following his last start Aug. 29,a four-inning no-decision in Detroit's 4-3 win against the White Sox at Comerica Park. The Tigers' rotation could soon be in flux with the pending return of Jordan Zimmermann from the 15-day disabled list Saturday against the Orioles. Boyd, who could potentially be a candidate for the bullpen, made a strong case for why he should remain in the rotation by recording his fifth quality start. "It means a lot," Boyd said. "The goal is always to get as deep as you can and keep your team in position to win. That bullpen works hard for us, so anytime you can get deep and shorten the innings up for them, too, that's huge." Love the glove: Tim Anderson denied the Tigers a chance to start a second-inning rally with a great defensive play moving to his right on McGehee's grounder with Upton on first. Anderson gloved the ball in short left field and made a great throw across his body to first, getting McGehee to end the frame. Anderson put together the same sort of spectacular play in the ninth against J.D. Martinez, but Martinez barely beat the throw to first. "Really his range has expanded and you're starting to understand hitters and you're seeing hitters and that's part of his development," said White Sox manager Robin Ventura of Anderson. "His recall of seeing guys over and over again and how guys are pitching and where he's playing, he understands that a little bit better as he goes around the league. "You're just starting to see a guy improve with the knowledge he's getting. It's not necessarily the numbers knowledge, it's the baseball knowledge. His timing is better. It's that baseball clock he's starting to understand." Double trouble: Trailing 1-0 with one out in the third, the Tigers had runners at first and second with the top of their order facing Gonzalez. The potential rally never materialized because of a baserunning gaffe

by Maybin, who was doubled off first after former Tiger Avisail Garcia caught Jose Iglesias' soft liner in right field. "You don't know what the impact of that play is, because you don't know what happens next," Ausmus said. "Obviously, you want to get [Miguel Cabrera] to the plate. It was kind of a tough read, a soft liner. Cam might've been caught in-between. If it does fall in front of Garcia, then he might get thrown out at second anyway." Iglesias and Garcia were key components of a three-way trade in 2013 among the Tigers, White Sox and Red Sox, who received Jake Peavy in the deal. QUOTABLE "It was foul. I saw it. I knew it immediately. I was like, I need one instant replay to go my way for once and it finally did." -- White Sox closer David Robertson, on J.D. Martinez's near home run after a crew chief review "It didn't get away. They beat us. They're out there trying to win a ballgame just like we are, and we aren't going to win every night. And we understand that." – Upton HOLD ON Nate Jones has sole possession of second place on the White Sox single-season holds mark, as he picked up his 27th. Jones has allowed one hit over 4 1/3 innings in four September games, with nine strikeouts and no walks. LET'S GO TO THE REPLAY J.D. Martinez hit what was ruled a foul ball on a long drive down the left-field line leading off the ninth inning against Robertson. The umpires went to the video via a crew chief review and the call stood as foul, missing a home run by inches. Martinez reached two pitches later on an infield single. "I thought it was foul," Ausmus said. "When I saw the closeup up there [on the video board], I couldn't tell if it scraped the pole or not. It was a lot closer than I thought it was." "Nobody said anything. That's what was scary," Robertson said. "He kept running around the bases and I was like, 'Please, don't let it be a home run.' It was foul. I could see it." WHAT'S NEXT Tigers: Anibal Sanchez could be making one of his final starts this season Wednesday against the White Sox at 2:10 p.m. ET. Sanchez, a possible candidate for a relief role, is 1-1 with a 3.60 ERA against the White Sox this season in four appearances (two starts). White Sox: Jose Quintana, who starts Wednesday's 1:10 p.m. CT rubber game against Detroit at U.S. Cellular Field, suffered the loss in his last start at Minnesota after working five innings and allowing seven runs on seven hits and eight strikeouts. He allowed seven or more runs for the first time since April 19, 2015 (four innings, nine runs).

Gonzalez, Sox not about to throw in towel Righty goes 6 1/3, combines with ‘pen on shutout in first start since Aug. 11 By Scott Merkin / MLB.com | September 6th, 2016

CHICAGO -- It was a muggy night in Kansas City when Miguel Gonzalez last took the ball for the White Sox on Aug. 11, with the South Siders a good distance removed from both the top of the American League Central and the AL Wild Card race. So the locale and the opponent stood as the only parts of that scenario changing for Gonzalez's return during a 2-0 victory over the Tigers on Tuesday night at U.S. Cellular Field. But just because the White Sox sit 13 1/2 games out in the division and 10 back in the Wild Card with 24 games remaining doesn't mean they won't take the field with great pride and conviction. "We're here to compete," said Gonzalez, who won for the first time since July 6. "We're not going to give in until the last day of the season. That's what we're all about." "We play this game to win, and just when things aren't going our way doesn't mean we are going to give up and roll over," said White Sox closer David Robertson, who picked up his 34th save. "We are going to continue to play hard and try to win ballgames." Gonzalez's inactivity was caused by a right groin strain suffered during his last outing against the Royals. He didn't exactly draw the easiest of opponents for a healthy comeback, with the Tigers featuring a strong lineup and sitting tied with the Orioles for the AL's second Wild Card entering Tuesday. That challenge didn't prove to be too great for Gonzalez, who hurled 6 1/3 scoreless innings while striking out four and not issuing a walk. It was the sixth time this season Gonzalez has gone walk-free, and he has a 2.83 ERA with eight quality starts over his past nine trips to the mound. "It has been a while since I was able to go out there," Gonzalez said. "I was happy with the performance. [Catcher Omar] Narvaez did a great job calling the game. It was great all around. I was pretty anxious, pretty happy about coming back. It was fun to be around the guys again, be able to perform, help them out, give them a chance." "Gonzo was great," White Sox manager Robin Ventura said. "I don't know if you could expect much more out of him. You didn't really know what to expect, but this was pretty indicative of how he pitches. He pitches to contact, moves it around the plate. I thought his poise and everything was outstanding." Dan Jennings, Nate Jones and Robertson finished things off for Gonzalez, with enough White Sox offense for the victory. It was a return almost one month in the making, but worth the wait as a start to Gonzalez's final month of work. "Keep doing what I'm doing and obviously stay healthy," said Gonzalez of his goals. "That's the most important thing for me and my teammates. I'm here to help them out as much as I can."

Fulmer, Burdi not among White Sox callus Coats, Garcia and Smith earn promotions to Majors By Scott Merkin / MLB.com | September 6th, 2016

CHICAGO -- With all due respect to outfielder Jason Coats, utility player Leury Garcia and right-hander Blake Smith, who fully earned their Tuesday promotion to the White Sox Major League roster, the day's seemingly bigger news came from the omission of Carson Fulmer and Zach Burdi among the callups.

Fulmer stands as the White Sox No. 1 prospect per MLBPipeline.com, while Burdi, the 26th pick overall in the 2016 MLB Draft, checks in at No. 4. General manager Rick Hahn's omission explanation took a page out of George Costanza's iconic "Seinfeld" line in that the organization wanted both right-handers to end the current campaign on a high note. Burdi, 21, threw 68 innings combined between his stint as the closer for the University of Louisville and over Minor League stops in Arizona, with Class A Winston-Salem, Double-A Birmingham and Triple-A Charlotte. He fanned 51 over 38 Minor League innings, in what Hahn termed "a fantastic year." "Frankly we felt enough was enough for him," Hahn said. "We view it as a very successful year, one in which he squarely put himself on the map for the not-too-distant future for us. We expect to see him in big league camp, come in and show what he can do against big league hitters at that time. We felt his workload was such that it didn't make a lot of sense to bring him at this time." In eight relief appearances for the White Sox this season, the 22-year-old Fulmer posted an 8.49 ERA. He moved from a starter for Double-A Birmingham to the White Sox relief crew and then back to Charlotte to stretch out again and possibly get a September start or two in the big leagues. One run was allowed by Fulmer over his past three Charlotte starts covering 15 innings, with 14 strikeouts and three walks. Fulmer wasn't in line for quality innings down the home stretch, so the White Sox shut him down. "He has really taken to the adjustments in Charlotte," Hahn said. "We view him as a potential starting piece for us in the future. He's going to head home on a high note based on his last couple of starts down in Charlotte. We'll see him in Glendale [Ariz., at Spring Training]." The idea of Fulmer being rushed into his July 15 callup after the All-Star break was mentioned to Hahn, who acknowledged they were pushing it when adding Fulmer in part because they were changing his role. But it was a positive push for Fulmer's big-picture outlook. "What we were trying to balance was one, what's best for his long-term development and two, having a team that frankly was teetering on the brink of being competitive and needed help in the bullpen," Hahn said. "We felt he was probably one of our most talented arms down there at this point and bringing him here in that role was going to allow us to introduce him slowly to the big league level. "But we do think he benefited from his time here in Chicago, to get used to what big league hitters look like, how they react to his stuff and the adjustments he was going to have to make in order to take that next step. It's going to make it easier on him the next time when he shows up here, very likely to stay."

Shields eyes Saturday start, solid finish to ‘16 Righty has had roller-coaster first year on South Side By Scott Merkin / MLB.com | September 6th, 2016

CHICAGO -- White Sox right-hander James Shields feels healthy enough to make his next start, which he believes will be Saturday against the Royals, with his balky back improved and it being thoroughly checked out, including an MRI. The right-hander also would like to have a few good September starts after a forgettable August. He has a 12.07 ERA with 15 home runs allowed and 15 walks in his last 28 1/3 innings, following a 1.71 ERA over his previous six starts. "It's been a crazy year, man. A lot of things going on," said Shields, who had a 3.06 ERA as of May 25. "Obviously I got traded. Things that happened in San Diego that weren't under my control.

"Come in here to a new team, probably out of the gates tried to do too much, then settled in and then didn't do too well. So, you know I had a similar season -- not as bad a season -- in 2010, then the next year I did really, really well. That's what my goal is." Shields loves the fit in Chicago and with the White Sox, hoping the fans stick with him a little bit, believe in him and things get better in '17. That improvement hopefully starts this month. "Not necessarily for my mindset. My mindset is good," Shields said. "It's been a really frustrating season for me. This definitely wasn't me this season so far and hopefully we'll finish the last couple strong and get a good offseason workout before then." "Hopefully he finishes strong," said White Sox general manager Rick Hahn, who spoke of changes in mechanics made with Shields upon his White Sox arrival, changes reverting a bit back to previous issues during his recent struggles. "We want him to finish healthy and go into the offseason on a positive note and come back to Spring Training looking much more like the guy we saw for that [July] stretch as opposed to anything like what we've seen when he struggled." Ventura, staff in limbo Hahn reiterated Tuesday that decisions on manager Robin Ventura and his staff will be made after the season. Those decisions run throughout the entire organization, per Hahn, including Major League and amateur scouting. But Hahn understands that the not knowing can be difficult for Ventura and his staff. "It's not great. No one enjoys that. Regardless of what profession you're in, nobody enjoys uncertainty about their own situation or security for their family going forward," Hahn said. "At the same time, everyone here knows this is the business we've chosen. "With that comes certain difficulties from time to time when a team doesn't achieve to the level we anticipated, that we all had hoped for. Again, it's not a situation any of us wanted to be in, but this is where we're at and as a result we're going to have to make some tough decisions over the coming weeks and months."

Abreu honored as Clemente Award nominee White Sox first baseman devoted to helping youth clinics, teams in U.S., Cuba By Scott Merkin / MLB.com | September 6th, 2016

CHICAGO -- One of Jose Abreu's first thoughts after he agreed to a six-year, $68 million deal with the White Sox had nothing to do with on-field success. "Try to help people," said Abreu, through interpreter Billy Russo. "No matter in this country or in Cuba. But of course once I'm here my priority was to help people here, give something back of all the things I've been given." Abreu has given White Sox fans numerous positive memories over the past three seasons with his offensive exploits, joining Albert Pujols as the only players with at least 30 homers and 100 RBIs in each of their first two seasons. But the White Sox first baseman has devoted just as much positive energy off the field since joining the White Sox before the 2014 season. Abreu's class and dedication have been rewarded as the White Sox nominee for the 2016 Roberto Clemente Award. Beginning on Roberto Clemente Day, fans are encouraged to participate in the new process of selecting the winner of the Roberto Clemente Award by posting any nominee's voting hashtags to MLB's official social media accounts, @MLB on Twitter and Facebook.com/MLB. Abreu's hashtag is #VoteAbreu. Voting is underway.

Major League Baseball announced the 30 club nominees on Tuesday for the annual recognition of a player who best represents the game of Baseball through extraordinary character, community involvement, philanthropy and positive contributions, both on and off the field. Each club nominates one player to be considered for the Roberto Clemente Award in tribute to Clemente's achievements and character by recognizing current players who truly understand the value of helping others. Wednesday marks the 15th annual Roberto Clemente Day, which was established by MLB to honor Clemente's legacy and to officially acknowledge local club nominees of the Roberto Clemente Award. Clubs playing at home on Wednesday will recognize their local nominees as part of Roberto Clemente Day ceremonies. Visiting clubs will honor their nominees before another September home game. As part of the league-wide celebration, the Roberto Clemente Day logo will appear on the bases and official dugout lineup cards and a special tribute video will be played in ballparks. The original "Commissioner's Award" for philanthropic service was renamed in 1973 in honor of Clemente, the Hall of Famer and 15-time All-Star, who died in a plane crash on New Year's Eve 1972 while attempting to deliver supplies to earthquake victims in Nicaragua. Since joining the White Sox, the 29-year-old launched "Abreu's Amigos." It's a community program with the Easter Seals Metropolitan Chicago Therapeutic School and Center for Autism Research that started last season. The program began with a special event at the school and included four group outings to U.S. Cellular, per the White Sox nomination of Abreu, where Easter Seals students enjoyed a game and had the opportunity to develop social skills in a recreational setting. Abreu also provided financial support to the program by donating $10,000 prior to a baseball clinic at the school's White Sox Field in June. "Abreu's Amigos" has continued this year, with group outings scheduled throughout the 2016 season. A bobblehead made in Abreu's likeness, in partnership with White Sox Charities, raised nearly $70,000 in a fundraising campaign. Proceeds benefitted White Sox Charities and Abreu's Amigos. Abreu sponsored Los Habaneros -- a 12U Cuban Little League team -- for a trip to compete in the Disney International Salute to Baseball tournament. It was the first team of Cuban children to receive visas to enter the U.S. in nearly three decades. The team visited U.S. Cellular and met Abreu during a Crosstown Cup competition with the Cubs. Abreu took part in a youth clinic this past offseason in his native Cuba during Major League Baseball's goodwill trip to the country. At that point, Abreu reconnected with his young son, Dariel, who he hadn't seen in-person since Abreu came to the United States. Dariel was able to join his father in August during this season and has a five-year visa to continue making visits. Abreu gave credit to White Sox senior vice president, communications Scott Reifert, who gave him the resources to help other people. It was his mother, Daisy, who educated Abreu of the importance in lending a helping hand. "I'm very happy and excited about this nomination," Abreu said. "It means a lot for me because everybody knows who Roberto Clemente was. I want to thank the White Sox and all the people who have been involved in my charity actions and in the community. That's something that I really appreciate."

Vets Quintana, Anibal duel in Sox-Tigers finale

By Scott Merkin / MLB.com | September 6th, 2016

Right-hander Anibal Sanchez could be making his final start of the season for the Tigers on Wednesday in the finale of a series against left-hander Jose Quintana and the White Sox at U.S. Cellular Field.

Sanchez, a veteran who's had a turbulent season, could be a candidate for a bullpen role thanks in part to a potential logjam of potential starting options. Right-hander Jordan Zimmermann was activated from the 15-day disabled list Tuesday and will start Saturday against the Orioles, but manager Brad Ausmus declined to disclose how Zimmermann's return will affect the makeup of the rotation. Sanchez and left-hander Matt Boyd could each wind up in relief roles or stick in the rotation, while rookie right-hander Michael Fulmer might have a start or two skipped to reduce his workload. "Nobody is out for now," Ausmus said. Sanchez has made 12 appearances (10 starts) against the White Sox, going 3-6 with a 4.96 ERA. He's 1-1 with a 3.60 ERA against Chicago this season in four appearances (two starts). Quintana will make his 28th start of the season for the White Sox, and holds a 5-4 record with a 3.99 ERA in 16 career starts against the Tigers. Three things to know about this game • White Sox center fielder Adam Eaton was expected to return to the lineup Wednesday after not starting Tuesday. • Tigers designated hitter Victor Martinez is usually a thorn in the White Sox's side. Entering Tuesday, Martinez held a .329 career batting average in 681 career at-bats against Detroit, with 29 home runs, 39 doubles, 115 RBIs and 105 runs scored. • Tigers second baseman Ian Kinsler didn't start in either of the first two games because of a finger injury on his throwing hand. He also isn't expected to start the series finale, but is available to pinch-run.

Miguel Gonzalez sharp in return as White Sox shut out Tigers

By Dan Hayes / CSN Chicago | September 6th, 2016

You wouldn’t have known Miguel Gonzalez missed nearly a month the way he pitched on Tuesday night. Activated off the disabled list prior to the game, the right-hander kept the Detroit Tigers under wraps as the White Sox evened a three-game series with a 2-0 victory in front of 15,155 at U.S. Cellular Field. Jose Abreu continued his onslaught with two more hits, including a solo home run and Gonzalez allowed six hits in 6 1/3 scoreless innings for the White Sox. “I don’t know if you could expect much more out of him,” White Sox manager Robin Ventura said. “Coming off the DL and against a lineup like this, he was sharp and breaking stuff getting enough of the plate to get guys swinging.” Similar to Tuesday, the White Sox didn’t really know what to expect when Gonzalez joined them for the first time in April. Waived late in spring by the Baltimore Orioles, Gonzalez signed a minor league deal the day before the season began. He didn’t first pitch for the White Sox until later in April and didn’t become a full-time member of the starting rotation until May. But with one year of team control to go, Gonzalez has almost assured himself a spot in next season’s rotation. Prior to Tuesday, Gonzalez had only made a Thursday start at Triple-A Charlotte and several bullpen sessions since his went on the DL. Yet the rust from a groin strain that sidelined him since Aug. 11 didn’t show against the Tigers, a team that had scored 30 earned runs off Gonzalez in 30 innings in his career.

He quickly got through the top of Detroit’s lineup with three grounders in the first and retired the first five men he faced. After pitching around jams in the third and fourth inning — he put two men on base in each — Gonzalez retired nine in a row. He struck out J.D. Martinez and Justin Upton with two aboard in the fourth and got Casey McGehee to fly out to end the inning. Gonzalez then retired the side in order in the fifth and sixth innings. The White Sox brought Gonzalez back in the seventh inning, but pulled him after McGehee hit the second single of the inning. Dan Jennings recorded one out and walked another before Nate Jones struck out Cameron Maybin to strand the bases loaded. Gonzalez allowed six hits and struck out four. In his last nine games, Gonzalez has a 2.38 ERA in 53 innings pitched with eight quality starts. “The most important thing is trying not to do too much when you’re out there,” Gonzalez said. “It’s been a while since I’ve gotten off the mound and pitched a real game. Being able to control that and make my pitches was the biggest thing tonight.” Jones pitched 1 1/3 scoreless innings. David Robertson pitched around a single and a walk in the ninth to convert the save. Abreu gave Gonzalez a little breathing room in the second inning when he crushed a 2-2 slider from Matt Boyd — the ninth pitch of the at-bat — for a solo homer. The drive traveled an estimated 419 feet. Boyd kept Detroit within striking distance with seven strong innings. The White Sox’ only other run came in the fifth inning when Omar Narvaez followed Jason Coats’ one-out double with an RBI single to make it a two-run game. Narvaez also walked. It was enough to make a winner of Gonzalez, who improved to 3-6. “You didn’t really know what to expect, but this was pretty indicative of how he pitches,” Ventura said. “He pitches to contact, moves it around the plate. I thought his poise and everything was outstanding.”

Workload played a role as White Sox send Zack Burdi, Carson Fulmer home for offseason

By Dan Hayes / CSN Chicago | September 6th, 2016

The seasons for Carson Fulmer and Zack Burdi have come to an end. When he discussed a series of four moves made by the White Sox on Tuesday, including three September call ups, general manager Rick Hahn said the team doesn’t intend to promote anyone else this month. Though the club promoted infielder Leury Garcia, outfielder Jason Coats and pitcher Blake Smith, it won’t bring up either its first or third-rated pitching prospects. Hahn said the workload — past in one case and future in the other — played a significant role for each pitcher. “Zack had a fantastic year,” Hahn said. “He has appeared at four different levels for us this season. Between his time at Louisville and in the postseason pitching for Louisville, he’s thrown 68 innings this year. Frankly we felt enough was enough for him. We view it as a very successful year, one in which he squarely put himself on the map for the not too distant future for us.” Hahn said Burdi, the 26th overall pick of the 2016 amateur draft, would be invited to big league camp next spring. Burdi was 1-0 with a 3.32 ERA and 51 strikeouts in 38 innings across four levels for the White Sox this season, including 16 at Triple-A Charlotte.

For Fulmer, the White Sox didn’t think he’d receive enough work were he to receive a promotion. With the starting rotation full and Anthony Ranaudo able to make a spot start, Fulmer’s opportunities would have been limited. The White Sox didn’t want to switch Fulmer back to the bullpen after they used him sparingly in relief from July to August. Fulmer returned to Charlotte in mid-August and made four starts. The team’s first-round pick in 2015, Fulmer allowed a run and nine hits and walked three with 14 strikeouts in 15 innings in his last three turns. “He too also is squarely on our map to be able to help us in the very near future,” Hahn said. “The thought was bringing him up here now probably wasn’t going to result in him getting a lot of quality innings for us down the stretch given who else is here. “And we didn’t want to continue to move him back and forth between roles. He’s really taken to the adjustments in Charlotte. We view him as a potential starting piece for us in the future. He’s going to head home on a high note based on his last couple of starts down in Charlotte.” The White Sox acquired Smith in a 2015 trade that sent Eric Surkamp to the Los Angeles Dodgers. A second-round pick out of Cal, Smith was converted to a pitcher. In his last 33 innings at Charlotte, Smith posted a 0.55 ERA with 31 strikeouts. Garcia had a .793 OPS in 342 plate appearances at Charlotte. The White Sox also activated Miguel Gonzalez off the disabled list on Tuesday.

Back on track: White Sox think James Shields will make next start

By Dan Hayes / CSN Chicago | September 6th, 2016

James Shields hasn’t missed a start since he reached the majors and it appears that streak isn’t in jeopardy. The White Sox said Tuesday that Shields’ back, which tightened up during his start on Saturday and forced him out of the game after 2 1/3 innings, has responded well to treatment. An MRI taken showed no significant issues and the veteran right-hander said he’ll throw a bullpen session on Wednesday. While the White Sox haven’t determined when the start would be, Shields thought Saturday was a possibility. Shields, who has made 346 starts since he arrived in the majors in 2006, said he hopes to finish a “crazy” season on a positive note. “Not necessarily for my mindset,” Shields said. “My mindset is good. It’s been a frustrating season, man. A really frustrating season for me. This definitely wasn’t me this season so far and hopefully we’ll finish the last couple strong and get a good offseason workout before then.” Shields is 3-10 with a 7.50 ERA and 26 homers allowed in 84 innings for the White Sox since they acquired him from the San Diego Padres. Manager Robin Ventura said he planned to speak to Shields after batting practice. But initial reports from the training staff indicated that everything was on track for Shields to start, Ventura said. “Glad he’s feeling better and everything is looking good in that direction,” Ventura said. “If he’s feeling healthy, he’s going to go back out there and pitch. But if he wasn’t and it was the same as it was when he came out of the game (Saturday), he wouldn’t pitch because you wouldn’t want to chance him going out there and getting hurt.” Shields said the tightness was a minor setback in what has proven to be a difficult year. He doesn’t feel as if he’s far off the pitcher of old and looks to rebound the rest of the way and again next season. Performance aside, Shields has enjoyed Chicago and the organization.

He’s hopeful he rebounds the way he did after the 2010 season. “I feel like it,” Shields said. “Some years you have a really good fell for the baseball and some years you don’t. Unfortunately this year I haven’t felt it like I wanted to. I’ve been a bulldog my whole career and I’m going to assess things this offseason and hopefully finish strong.”

Jose Abreu is White Sox Roberto Clemente Award nominee By Dan Hayes / CSN Chicago | September 6th, 2016

Jose Abreu has been named the White Sox’ nominee for the 2016 Roberto Clemente Award. The award is given to players who best demonstrates “sportsmanship, community involvement and the individual’s contribution to his team.” Now in his third season with the White Sox, Abreu gives all the credit to his mother, Daisy. “All of this comes from the education I get from my mom,” Abreu said through an interpreter. “She was the one who always told me how to help people to help the needy. Once I signed the contract here with the Chicago White Sox, that was always one of my first thoughts, try to help people, no matter if it was in this country or in Cuba. "Once I was here, my priority was to help people here, to give something back for all of the things I’ve been given.”

Tuesday’s recap: White Sox 2, Tigers 0

By Colleen Kane / Chicago Tribune | September 6th, 2016

Jose Abreu homered off Tigers left-hander Matt Boyd to help the White Sox to a 2-0 victory Tuesday night at U.S. Cellular Field. Abreu’s solo shot to left field in the second was his 22nd homer of the year. Sox pitchers Miguel Gonzalez, Dan Jennings, Nate Jones and David Robertson combined for the shutout as the Sox broke a four-game losing streak to the Tigers. At the plate Jason Coats, called up from Triple-A Charlotte on Tuesday, doubled in the fifth inning and scored on Omar Narvaez’s RBI single to center field. On the mound In his return from the 15-day disabled list after recovering from a right groin strain, Sox right-hander Miguel Gonzalez pitched 6 1/3 scoreless innings, allowing six hits with no walks and four strikeouts. The Tigers put two on base with no outs in the fourth with a pair of singles, one of which was misplayed by left fielder Melky Cabrera. But Gonzalez recorded two strikeouts and a flyout to strand them. Gonzalez left a pair of runners on base for Sox reliever Dan Jennings, who issued a four-pitch walk to load the bases. But Jennings struck out JaCoby Jones and right-handed reliever Nate Jones struck out Cameron Maybin to end the inning.

Hoping for solid finish to season, James Shields plans to make next start

By Colleen Kane / Chicago Tribune | September 6th, 2016

James Shields doesn't take missing a start lightly. The White Sox right-hander has started at least 33 games every season since 2008, and he is not planning to miss a start this weekend, even after dealing with a tight back and an unsightly stretch of pitching. Shields had an MRI and he said his back is feeling better over the last couple of days after it was "grabbing" him during Saturday's game against the Twins. He said Tuesday he still planned to start, likely Saturday against the Royals, and will test his back with a bullpen session Wednesday. Shields' recent run with a 12.07 ERA over seven starts has been difficult for him, the Sox and the fans, but he said it's important to him to finish the last few starts on a better note. "Not necessarily for my mindset — my mindset is good," Shields said. "It has been a frustrating season, man. This definitely wasn't me this season so far, and hopefully we'll finish the last couple strong." Shields takes pride in pitching more than 200 innings in nine straight seasons. At 151 1/3 innings, he won't reach the mark this year, but he thinks he at least can correct his path as he looks toward next year. He had an off year in 2010 while pitching for the Rays, when he posted a 5.18 ERA. He acknowledged that campaign wasn't as bad as this one has been, but he draws motivation in the fact that he bounced back to post a 2.82 ERA with 11 complete games in 2011. "Some years you have a really good feel for the baseball and some years you don't," Shields said. "Unfortunately this year I haven't felt it like I wanted to. I've been a bulldog my whole career, and I'm going to assess things this offseason and hopefully finish strong." General manager Rick Hahn said Shields' short Sox tenure has been "all over the map." He said Shields "reaped the benefits" of mechanical adjustments made with pitching coach Don Cooper over his six-start run with a 1.71 ERA in late June and July before he regressed. "We've seen some of the earlier issues rear their heads," Hahn said. "We want him to finish healthy and go into the offseason on a positive note and come back to spring training looking much more like the guy we saw for that stretch, as opposed to anything like what we've seen when he struggled." The Sox owe Shields $20 million over the next two seasons as well as a $2 million buyout for a 2019 team option, assuming he doesn't exercise an opt-out clause this year, which wouldn't make sense given his current state. Shields says he likes it in Chicago — the food, the people and the organization. He hopes he eventually can make it so the fans like him too. "Hopefully the fans will stick with me a little bit, believe in me," Shields said, "and we can get better next year."

Prospects Zack Burdi and Carson Fulmer won’t join White Sox this month

By Colleen Kane / Chicago Tribune | September 6th, 2016

The White Sox called up their final three minor leaguers before a 2-0 victory over the Tigers on Tuesday night, and notably neither Carson Fulmer nor Zack Burdi was among them.

The highly regarded right-handed pitching prospects might have drawn some interest over the last month of the season — especially Burdi, who's from Downers Grove — but the Sox decided to send the pair to an early rest after eventful years. Instead, the Sox opted for right-handed reliever Blake Smith, outfielder Jason Coats and utility man Leury Garcia. They started Coats and Garcia on Tuesday and snapped a four-game losing streak to the Tigers behind 6 1/3 scoreless innings from Miguel Gonzalez in his return from a right groin strain. Jose Abreu hit his 22nd homer of the season off Matt Boyd in the second inning, and Coats doubled and scored on Omar Narvaez's RBI single in the fifth to give the Sox the only runs they needed to earn just their second win over the Tigers in the last eight meetings. Relievers Dan Jennings, Nate Jones and David Robertson finished the Sox's eighth shutout. "I was pretty anxious, pretty happy about coming back," Gonzalez said. "The most important thing is not trying to do too much when you're out there." Sox general manager Rick Hahn said Burdi, the No. 26 pick in this year's draft, didn't receive the call because he pitched 68 innings between the end of his college career at Louisville and stops with four minor-league teams. He ended his minor-league season with a 3.32 ERA, including a 2.25 ERA with 22 strikeouts in 16 innings and nine games with Triple-A Charlotte. "We felt enough was enough for him," Hahn said. "He squarely put himself on the map for the not-too-distant future for us. We wanted him to finish the year on a positive note." Fulmer, drafted No. 8 last year, hit plenty of bumps in his first full professional season, going from starting in the minors to giving up 11 earned runs in 11 2/3 innings out of the big-league bullpen to starting in the minors again. Hahn said they didn't want to return Fulmer to the bullpen and didn't think he would get enough quality innings in September. "We didn't want to continue to move him back and forth between roles," Hahn said of Fulmer. "We view him as a potential starting piece for us." The Sox already have taken a look at Coats and Garcia, but Smith, 28, is new, the product of a 2015 trade of Eric Surkamp to the Dodgers. He was claimed in the Rule 5 draft by the Padres this offseason before he was returned to the Sox. After the All-Star break, Smith gave up just two earned runs over 24 innings in 13 appearances with Charlotte. "He throws strikes, keeps the ball down (and) has a plus curveball," Hahn said. "We wanted to give him the chance to show what he can do here." Gonzalez showed what he could do Tuesday, allowing six hits with no walks and four strikeouts. After giving up two singles — one of which left fielder Melky Cabrera misplayed — to start the fourth, Gonzalez stranded the runners.

Gonzalez, Abreu lead White Sox to 2-0 victory over Tigers By Daryl Van Schouwen / Chicago Sun-Times | September 6th, 2016 Miguel Gonzalez pitched 6 1/3 scoreless innings, Jose Abreu stayed hot with his 23rd homer and fifth in the last seven games, and the White Sox bullpen held off the Detroit Tigers for a 2-0 victory Tuesday before a paid crowd of 15,155 at U.S. Cellular Field.

Nate Jones retired all four batters he faced before David Robertson worked in and out of trouble to record his 34th save in 41 opportunities. Robertson struck out pinch hitter Tyler Collins to end the game with J.D. Martinez (single) and Erick Aybar (walk) on base. The Tigers (75-63), who fell one game behind the Baltimore Orioles for the second wild card, left nine runners on base and went 0-for-8 with runners in scoring position. The Sox (66-72) were swept by the Tigers in Detroit last week and lost the first game of this series 5-3 in 11 innings Monday. The Sox are 6-12 against the Tigers this season. In his first start since Aug. 11 due to a groin strain, Gonzalez (3-6) struck out four and walked none while allowing six hits. The right-hander is 2-3 with a 2.38 ERA and eight quality starts over his last nine outings. “I was pretty anxious, pretty happy about coming back,” he said. “It was fun to be around the guys again, be able to perform, help them out, give them a chance.” Jason Coats, called up from AAA Charlotte Tuesday, started at designated hitter and doubled in the fifth and scored on catcher Omar Narvaez’s single. Narvaez, a rookie who has a good chance of making the roster out of spring training next season, continues to receive high marks from Sox pitchers. “Facing a team like this, Detroit has a good offensive team, just pounding the zone,” Gonzalez said. “Narvaez did a great job calling the game. It was great all around.” The win for Gonzalez was his first since he beat the Yankees on July 6. This was his sixth outing in which he did not allow a walk. “Gonzo was great,” manager Robin Ventura said. “I don’t know if you could expect much more out of him. Coming off the DL and against a lineup like this, he was sharp and breaking stuff getting enough of the plate to get guys swinging. “He pitches to contact, moves it around the plate. I thought his poise and everything was outstanding.” NOTES With 34 saves, Robertson is five shy of his career high 39 set in 2014 with the Yankees. *The Tigers were shut out for the 10th time while the Sox recorded their eighth shutout and first since July 26 against the Cubs. *Abreu has reached base safely in 32 of his last 33 games, hitting .370 with 12 homers and 31 RBI during that span. *Tim Anderson has reached base safely in 26 of his last 28 games, hitting .330 with two homers, eight doubles and 11 RBI in that stretch. *Narvaez is batting .340 in his last 19 games. *Adam Eaton had the day off with call-up Leury Garcia playing center field. The only other game Eaton did not start was in early April when he went on paternity leave.

White Sox notes: Hahn on Ventura, staff; Abreu a Clemente nominee

By Daryl Van Schouwen / Chicago Sun-Times | September 6th, 2016

White Sox general manager Rick Hahn once again said the status of manager Robin Ventura and his coaches will be addressed after the season. But the front office is also considering changes in the scouting and development departments, he said. “Absolutely, absolutely,” Hahn said Tuesday. The Sox, who took a 65-72 record into their game against the Detroit Tigers Tuesday at U.S. Cellular Field, are headed to their fourth straight losing season and 10th in 11 years without a postseason appearance. With that kind of history, it’s safe to say the organization’s flaws go beyond the 25-man roster and major league staff, so the “behind the scenes” branches of it are being looked at, “whether it’s from an advanced scouting standpoint or major-league scouting standpoint,” Hahn said. “But it really does go all the way down to our operations on the amateur level and player development.” The Sox are happy with how the 2016 draft is panning out early, “and you see areas you can be hopeful about,” Hahn said. “[But] when things aren’t going the way you want in Chicago, everything is fair game to be looked at.” Ventura et al Hahn on the manager and coaches working with uncertain futures: “No one enjoys that. … at the same time, everyone here knows this is the business we’ve chosen and with that comes certain difficulties from time to time when a team doesn’t achieve to the level we anticipated, that we all had hoped for.” Ventura’s contract is up after the season. “Again, it’s not a situation any of us wanted to be in, but this is where we’re at and as a result we’re going to have to make some tough decisions over the coming weeks and months,” Hahn said. Abreu nominated for Clemente Award Jose Abreu is the Sox nominee for the Roberto Clemente Award for the player who best represents the game of Baseball through extraordinary character, community involvement, philanthropy and positive contributions, both on and off the field. “All of this comes from the education I get from my mom,” Abreu said through translator Billy Russo. “She was the one who always told me how to help people to help the needy. Once I signed the contract here with the Chicago White Sox, that was always one of my first thoughts, try to help people, no matter if it was in this country or in Cuba. Once I was here, my priority was to help people here, to give something back for all of the things I’ve been given.” Excellent return for Gonzalez Right-hander Miguel Gonzalez took a shutout into the seventh inning in his return from the disabled list, allowing six hits before exiting with a 2-0 lead and two Tigers on base and one out. Gonzalez’ line: 6 1/3 innings pitched, six hits, no walks, six strikeouts.

Shields staying, Fulmer and Burdi staying away

By Daryl Van Schouwen / Chicago Sun-Times | September 6th, 2016

James Shields might not miss a start, after all. The self described “bulldog” says the back that tightened up on him last week is coming around, so he plans on starting Saturday against his former team, the Kansas City Royals. For Sox fans who have seen enough of Shields and his 7.50 ERA and were to get a peak at some young blood such as Downers Grove first-round 100-mph power arm Zack Burdi, as well as another look at 2015 No. 8 overall pick Carson Fulmer, it’s wait till next year, general manager Rick Hahn said Tuesday. The Sox made their last September call-ups Tuesday and those AAA Charlotte right-handers were not among them. Infielder-outfielder Leury Garcia, outfielder Jason Coats and right-hander Blake Smith were added, following right-hander Juan Minaya and catcher Kevan Smith, who were called up last week. Garcia (center field) and Coats (DH) were in the lineup Tuesday against the Detroit Tigers. Burdi, the Sox’ second first-round pick in June after catcher Zack Collins, pitched 68 innings in relief between the University of Louisville and four minor league levels. “We felt enough was enough for him,’’ Hahn said. “We view it as a very successful year, one in which he squarely put himself on the map for the not too distant future for us. We expect to see him in big league camp and show what he can do against big league hitters.’’ Fulmer began the year as a starter, pitched in relief for the Sox (with 11 earned runs and seven walks over 11 1/3 innings) and then as a starter again when sent back to Charlotte. “We view him as a potential starting piece for us in the future,’’ Hahn said. “He’s going to head home on a high note based on his last three starts [one earned run, three walks, 14 strikeouts over 15 innings] down in Charlotte.’’ Shields, meanwhile, wants to head into the offseason on a high note after getting tagged for 26 home runs and owning a 3-10 record over 84 innings covering 17 starts with the Sox. Between the Padres and Sox he’ll fall short of 200 innings for the first time after nine straight seasons. “I’ve been through a lot worse [physically] than this in my career,’’ said Shields, whose back was checked by a doctor Monday. “It’s just a minor setback, not a big deal.’’ Shields, who is owed $10 million in each of the next two seasons by the Sox (the Padres are on the hook for the rest of his salary), called this season as “frustrating” and “crazy.” He believes his stuff is as good as it’s always been. “I feel like it,’’ he said. “Some years you have a really good fell for the baseball and some years you don’t. Unfortunately this year I haven’t felt it like I wanted to. I’ve been a bulldog my whole career and I’m going to hopefully finish strong and assess things this offseason.’’ Hahn said Shields’ back “checks out in a way that’s consistent with him being without restriction and being able to make that next start.” “Hopefully he finishes strong,” Hahn said. “We want him to finish healthy and go into the offseason on a positive note and come back to spring training looking much more like the guy we saw for [one very good] stretch [between two bad ones] opposed to anything like what we’ve seen when he struggled.”

White Sox recall Jason Coats, Leury Garcia, Blake Smith

By Daryl Van Schouwen / Chicago Sun-Times | September 6th, 2016

The White Sox expanded their September roster by four on Tuesday, recalling outfielder Jason Coats and infielder Leury Garcia from Class AAA Charlotte on Tuesday and purchasing the contract of right-hander Blake Smith from Charlotte. The Sox also returned right-hander Miguel Gonzalez (groin strain) from his rehab assignment with the Knights and returned him from the disabled list. Gonzalez (2-6, 4.05 ERA) is starting tonight’s game against the Tigers. He has been on the disabled list since August 12.

Gonzalez returns, gives Chicago White Sox a solid start By Scot Gregor / Daily Herald | September 6th, 2016

If the Chicago White Sox decide to trade Chris Sale and/or Jose Quintana this off-season, they're going to need starters for the 2017 rotation. Even if Sale and Quintana both return next year, Miguel Gonzalez continues to make a strong case to be part of the starting five. Coming off the disabled list and making his first start since Aug. 11, Gonzalez pitched 6⅓ innings in the Sox's 2-0 win over the Tigers on Tuesday night at U.S. Cellular Field. Signed in early April to a one-year, $5.1 million contract, Gonzalez is 3-6 with a 3.81 ERA in 21 games (20 starts) with the White Sox. The Sox took a 1-0 lead in the second inning on Jose Abreu's home run off Detroit starter Matt Boyd. In the fifth, Jason Coats doubled with one out and scored on Omar Narvaez's single. Shields update: On Monday, the White Sox said struggling starting pitcher James Shields was dealing with a sore back and shutting him down for the rest of the season was a possibility. A day later, Shields said a doctor checked the back and he's feeling good enough to start Saturday against the Kansas City Royals. "I've been through a lot worse than this in my career," Shields said. "It's just a minor setback, not a big deal. I feel pretty good right now." It is not been a good season for Shields. The 34-year-old right-hander is a combined 5-17 with a 6.07 ERA in 28 starts for the Sox and the Padres. Acquired in a June 4 trade from San Diego, Shields is 3-10 with a 7.50 ERA in 17 starts for the White Sox. The Sox owe Shields $10 million in each of the next two years, so they can only hope this was an off season. "Some years you have a really good feel for the baseball and some years you don't," Shields said. "Unfortunately, this year I haven't felt it like I wanted to. I've been a bulldog my whole career and I'm going to assess things this off-season and hopefully finish strong.

"I love it here. Hopefully the fans will stick with me a little bit, believe in me and we can get better next year." Ventura future? General manager Rick Hahn was again asked about the future for manager Robin Ventura and the rest of the White Sox's coaching. Hahn said no announcement is coming until the season ends. He also acknowledged the difficult situation. "Regardless of what profession you're in, nobody enjoys uncertainty about their own situation or security for their family going forward," Hahn said. "At the same time, everyone here knows this is the business we've chosen and with that comes certain difficulties from time to time when a team doesn't achieve to the level we anticipated, that we all had hoped for. "Again, it's not a situation any of us wanted to be in, but this is where we're at and as a result we're going to have to make some tough decisions over the coming weeks and months."

Chicago White Sox will see Fulmer, Burdi in Spring Training By Scot Gregor / Daily Herald | September 6th, 2016

The big news at U.S. Cellular Field on Tuesday was not the Chicago White Sox adding three Class AAA Charlotte players to their expanded September roster. For the record, the Sox recalled outfielder Jason Coats and infielder Leury Garcia from Charlotte and purchased relief pitcher Blake Smith's contract. The big news at the Cell was not Miguel Gonzalez coming off the disabled list (strained right groin) and taking the mound against the Detroit Tigers. The big news was the White Sox deciding not to bring up two other Charlotte pitchers -- Carson Fulmer and Zack Burdi. Fulmer, the No. 8 overall pick in the 2015 draft, joined the Sox from Class AA Birmingham right after the all-star break and made 8 relief appearances. The right-hander allowed 11 earned runs on 12 hits and 7 walks in 11⅔ innings before being optioned to Charlotte. Fulmer made 4 starts at Triple-A and allowed only 1 earned run in 15 innings in the last three. "He is squarely on our map to be able to help us in the very near future," said White Sox general manager Rick Hahn. "The fact is he's been at three levels this year. We've moved him from rotation to bullpen back to rotation. And the thought was bringing him up here now probably wasn't going to result in him getting a lot of quality innings for us down the stretch given who else is here. "And we didn't want to continue to move him back and forth between roles. He's really taken to the adjustments in Charlotte. We view him as a potential starting piece for us in the future. "He's going to head home on a high note based on his last couple of starts down in Charlotte. We'll see him in Glendale (Arizona, spring training)." Burdi, the No. 26 overall draft pick in June, pitched at four minor-league levels (Arizona League, high Class A Winston-Salem, Birmingham, Charlotte) after signing with the Sox out of the University of Louisville. The right-hander with a 100-mph fastball had 51 strikeouts in 38 innings.

Burdi, a Downers Grove native, should be in the Sox's bullpen next season. "Zack had a fantastic year," Hahn said. "He has appeared at four different levels for us this season. Between his time at Louisville and in the postseason pitching for Louisville, he's thrown 68 innings this year. "Frankly, we felt enough was enough for him. We expect to see him in big-league camp and come in and show what he can do against big-league hitters at that time. "At this point, we wanted him to finish the year on a positive note. We felt his workload was such that it didn't make a lot of sense to bring him up at this time." Coats was in Tuesday's starting lineup at designated hitter, and Garcia started in center field for the White Sox. Smith had his contract purchased after going 3-1 with a 3.53 ERA in 39 relief appearances. The 28-year-old right-hander did not allow a run in 17 of his final 18 games with Charlotte. "Very interesting guy," Hahn said. "A converted outfielder, a second-round (draft) pick by the Dodgers as an outfielder. Has had a tremendous last 30 innings or so down there in Charlotte. "Throws strikes. He keeps the ball down, has a plus curveball. We wanted to give him the chance to show what he can do here."

White Sox, Gonzalez stifle Tigers 2-0 By Paul Ladewski / Associated Press | September 6th, 2016

CHICAGO -- After losing 12 times in 17 games to the contending Detroit Tigers, the Chicago White Sox hit their Central Division rivals where it hurt on Tuesday night. Jose Abreu hit his fifth homer in seven games, Miguel Gonzalez came off the disabled list to pitch 6 1/3 innings of six-hit ball and the White Sox cooled off the Tigers 2-0. Detroit fell one game behind Baltimore for the second AL wild card and stayed 4 1/2 games behind first-place Cleveland in the division. "Always," Gonzalez said when asked whether the outcome had more significance against a division foe. "We're here to compete. We're not going to give in until the last day of the season. That's what we're all about." The Tigers went 0 for 8 with runners in scoring position and left nine men on in their fourth loss in 15 games. Abreu connected off Matt Boyd (5-3) in the second for his 23rd homer as Chicago got its third win in nine games. Gonzalez (3-6) struck out four in his first start since Aug. 11 following a groin injury. "Gonzo was great," manager Robin Ventura said. "I don't know if you could expect much more out of him, coming off the DL and against a line-up like this, to be able to come back." Nate Jones retired four straight hitters before David Robertson worked around a hit and a walk in the ninth for his 34th save in 41 tries to complete the seven-hitter. J.D. Martinez led off with a drive down the left-field line, but a replay review ruled it to be a foul ball, not a home run.

"It was foul," Robertson said. "I knew it right away. I needed one instant replay to go my way." Martinez followed with a single and Erick Aybar walked with one out, but Jarrod Saltalamacchia popped out and pinch-hitter Tyler Collins struck out in Detroit's 10th shutout of the season. Minor league call-up Jason Coats doubled in the fifth and scored on Omar Narvaez's single as the White Sox improved to just 14-32 against the AL Central since May 23. Gonzalez retired nine straight until allowing singles to Martinez and call-up Casey McGehee in the seventh. Dan Jennings came in and issued a walk to load the bases. Then Jennings struck out pinch-hitter Jacoby Jones and Nate Jones fanned Cameron Maybin to end the threat. Boyd allowed two runs and eight hits while striking out six in seven innings. He has allowed three or fewer runs in his last 10 starts. "The other guy was a few pitches better than me," Boyd said. "Just got to be a little better." THE FUTURE IS NEAR With the White Sox on the way to a fourth straight losing season, the status of Ventura and the direction of the team is uncertain. "It's not a situation any of us wanted to be in," GM Rick Hahn said before the game. "But this is where we're at and as a result we're going to have to make some tough decisions over the coming weeks and months." NEW ADDITIONS With the Triple-A regular season ending Monday, both teams added players. The Tigers promoted 3B McGehee and OF Steven Moya from Toledo. The White Sox called up OF Coats, INF Leury Garcia and RHP Blake Smith from Charlotte. Pitching prospects Zack Burdi and Carson Fulmer won't join the team. TRAINER'S ROOM Tigers: 2B Ian Kinsler (finger) was still having trouble throwing and didn't start. Manager Brad Ausmus said he's likely out until Friday. ... RHP Jordan Zimmermann (neck) was scheduled to start Saturday after being activated off the DL. White Sox: A day after Ventura suggested struggling RHP James Shields (5-17, 6.07 ERA) could be shut down because of a bad back, Shields felt better and was expected to start Saturday. UP NEXT The clubs meet for the 19th and final time Wednesday as White Sox LHP Jose Quintana (11-10, 3.05 ERA) faces RHP Anibal Sanchez (7-13, 5.70).

Struggling Shields vows to keep pitching despite back pain

By Mike Cranston / Associated Press | September 6th, 2016

CHICAGO -- White Sox right-hander James Shields vowed Tuesday to stay in the rotation despite back pain and asked for patience from fans amid the worst season of his career.

A day after Chicago manager Robin Ventura suggested Shields could be shut down, the 11-year veteran said a doctor's visit produced good news. "Knock on wood, I haven't missed a start my whole career and I don't really plan on it, either," Shields said. "It's one of those things where I'm pretty sure I'll be out there on Saturday." Shields struggled early in the season with San Diego, even allowing hefty New York Mets pitcher Barolo Colon's first home run in May. He faced public criticism from Padres executive chairman Ron Fowler, then was dealt to the White Sox on June 5. Besides a six-start stretch in July when he had 1.71 ERA, Shields has been hit hard. He's 3-10 with a 7.50 ERA in 17 starts with Chicago. He said he's had off-and-on back pain. "It's been a crazy year, man," Shields said. "A lot of things going on. Obviously I got traded. Things that happened in San Diego that weren't under my control. Come in here to a new team, probably out of the gates tried to do too much, then settled in and then didn't do to well." Shields was an All-Star with Tampa Bay in 2011 and helped Kansas City reach the World Series in 2014. His nine straight 200-inning seasons make the longest active streak in the majors. "I know he's always taken the ball," Ventura said. "If he's feeling healthy he's going to go back out there and pitch." The 34-year-old takes pride in his uniquely heavy workload at a time when other pitchers are doing less in an effort to stay healthy and effective. "Some years you have a really good feel for the baseball and some years you don't," Shields said. "Unfortunately this year I haven't felt it like I wanted to. I've been a bulldog my whole career and I'm going to assess things this offseason and hopefully finish strong." Shields, a combined 5-17 with a 6.05 ERA with the Padres and White Sox, is in danger of a 20-loss season if he stays in the rotation. He can opt out of his contract after this season, but almost certainly won't. He's due $21 million in each of the next two years. "I love it here. If there is any city my wife wanted me to go to it was Chicago for sure," Shields said. "Hopefully the fans will stick with me a little bit, believe in me and we can get better next year."

White sox tame Tigers behind strong pitching performance

By Jon Greenberg / The Athletic | September 6th, 2016

On Tuesday night, the White Sox lost another close one to the Detroit Tigers by the … Wait, what’s that? The White Sox beat the Tigers? Are we sure? Yep, it was on TV and everything. Behind 6 1/3 scoreless innings from Miguel Gonzalez and a clean outing from the bullpen, the Sox scored a rare victory over the Tigers, 2-0, at U.S. Cellular Field. You know what they say about baseball, you go to the park and you never know what to expect. Almost over: The White Sox (66-72) are actually 5-4 at home against the Tigers this season, which doesn’t seem possible. Overall, they are 6-12 against Detroit, thanks to a 1-8 record at Comerica Park.

Their performance against their division rival is part of an overarching failure against the AL Central, a tradition since 2009, the year after the Sox’s last playoff appearance. The Sox are now 23-35 in the Central and since 2009 they’ve had a losing record in the division every year but 2012. That says a lot about the state of the organization. White Sox general manager Rick Hahn met with reporters before the game, talking about the September call-ups of Jason Coats, Leury Garcia and Blake Smith and, obviously, not talking about any offseason plans. Just let the guy get through this month with a few non-gray hairs left on his head. Sox fans were disappointed when Hahn said they weren’t calling up pitching prospects Carson Fulmer and Zack Burdi. Fulmer, last year’s first-round pick, pitched briefly in the Sox bullpen this summer, putting up an 8.49 ERA in eight appearances, but then went to Triple-A to stretch back out into a starter. He gave up six runs in one inning in his first start and then one in his next three starts, spanning 15 innings. Burdi, one of the Sox’s three draft picks in the top 50 this season, threw 30 innings as University of Louisville’s closer and 38 in the minors. After striking out 46 in 32 innings in Double-A and Triple-A, he looked ready for a major league relief role. But the Sox decided he didn’t need any more work. “Frankly we felt enough was enough for him,” Hahn said. Even more disappointing to Sox fans was James Shields’ assertion that he’s going to make his next start and finish out his season. There were rumors the Sox were ready to shut him down. If he didn’t have a “big game” reputation and a big deal, he’d already be benched with a 7.50 ERA in 17 starts with the Sox. He’s given up 26 homers in 84 innings, which is tough to do. Then again, at this point, Sox fans should be rooting for more losses. While manager Robin Ventura’s fate is likely already sealed, the Sox could always use a better draft position. Can Shields start every four days? Silver linings: In his first start since Aug. 11 after coming off the disabled list with a groin injury, Gonzalez gave up six hits and no walks, while striking out four. Relievers Dan Jennings, Nate Jones and David Robertson struck out five in 2 2/3 innings. Gonzalez has a 3.81 ERA and 1.31 WHIP as a Sox starter. He’s been a good pick-up for the Sox, who (almost) always do a good job developing and rehabbing pitchers. Jose Abreu continued his too-little, too-late-season tear with a single and a solo homer. In his last 17 games, Abreu is slashing .386/.429./.800 with nine homers. The back of his baseball card is going to look good at the end of a disappointing season. The Sox needed him to hit like this in April and May, when he hit .229 and .252 with a combined six homers, or in July, when he batted .289 but went homer-less in 25 games. On deck: The Sox finish their series with Detroit with Jose Quintana (11-10, 3.05 ERA) facing Anibal Sanchez (7-13, 5.70) on Wednesday.

Levine: James Shields asks for mulligan from White Sox By Bruce Levine / CBS Chicago | September 6th, 2016

CHICAGO (CBS) — Expectations tend to be lofty when a team makes a midseason trade for a veteran pitcher. In the case of right-hander James Shields, the deal that brought him to the White Sox from the Padres in early June has been a train wreck. Shields is 3-10 with a 7.50 ERA and 1.81 WHIP in 17 starts for Chicago this season.

The 34-year-old Shields has been dealing with some back stiffness, but on Tuesday he deemed himself ready to pitch this weekend. Shields — nicknamed “Big Game James” — has thrown at least 200 innings in eight consecutive seasons and previously had displayed the ability to shine in the spotlight of his team’s most important matchups, making himself a favorite of his teammates and fans. Throughout his recent failures, Shields has stood tall. “This is a great city,” Shields said Tuesday. “The organization has been great. Hopefully the fans will stick with me a little bit and believe in me. We’ll try to get better next year.” Save for July when he registered a 1.78 ERA in five starts, Shields has found little success. Since arriving in Chicago, his command has been off, his velocity inconsistent and his mound presence non-existent. “As for his performance, it’s been all over the map,” White Sox general manager Rick Hahn said. “It was about as bad as it can get in certain stretches. There for a time arguably better than you could have reasonably anticipated. For a six- or seven-game stretch, he was pitching like a real solid front-end guy.” The fourth and fifth spots in the White Sox rotation have produced an 11-21 record in 61 starts this season. If you take away the 6-2 mark of right-hander Mat Latos, who was released in late June, the record drops to 5-19 combined for the other numerous pitchers who have filled in on the back end. Only right-hander Miguel Gonzalez has given the team any consistent innings from the fourth and fifth slots. The offseason plan for the White Sox with Shields has already been laid out by Hahn and company. Shields has two more years left on his contract, during which he’ll be owed around $20 million. He has an opt-out clause after this season but isn’t expected to use it given these recent struggles. “Hopefully he finishes strong,” Hahn said. “Obviously we want him to finish healthy. We want him to go into the offseason on a positive note. We expect James to come back in spring training looking more like the guy we saw for that solid stretch rather than anything like we have seen since he struggled.” Shields is expecting better results as well. “Some years you have a real good feel for the baseball,” Shields said. “Some years you don’t. This year I have not really felt it as much as I wanted to. I have been a bulldog my whole career. I will go and assess things this offseason. I hopefully can finish strong this season.”

Levine: Will White Sox keep or move Jose Abreu

By Bruce Levine / CBS Chicago | September 6th, 2016

CHICAGO (CBS) — The upbeat song “Should I Stay or Should I Go” by The Clash rings out out for numerous White Sox players going into the offseason. Some on the present 25-man roster may be used to acquire talent that’s missing in the Chicago farm system and on the major league club. With his team carrying a losing record for the fourth straight season, ace left-hander Chris Sale said it best for all to hear Monday. “You have to keep your head up, but something has to change,” Sale said. The obvious names of Sale and left-hander Jose Quintana were floated throughout baseball before the non-waiver trading deadline passed on Aug. 1 as the White Sox continued to struggle, but the trades of reliever Zach Duke and catcher Dioner Navarro ended up being the only two moves that were made. Now, the White Sox have to again look forward as an important offseason looms, and here’s one of the most important questions:

If the White Sox do go into a full rebuild, will they entertain offers for 29-year-old first baseman Jose Abreu? A strong August followed a subpar first four months of the season for Abreu, who has continued his better play into September and has 30 RBIs in the past 30 days. Abreu has hit .330 in the season’s second half after batting .272 prior to the All-Star break. With a traditional slash line of a .293 average/22 homers/86 RBIs, he’s approaching the numbers he put up in each of his first two MLB seasons, when he averaged a .298/33/104 slash line. Abreu is a hard-working player and sets an excellent team leader, having been nominated as a finalist for the distinguished Roberto Clemente Award, given to a player who best exemplifies a high caliber of play on the field and the charitable impact that Clemente represented in his off-the-field charity work. From the financial perspective, Abreu can go to arbitration and void out the remaining three years on his six-year $68-million contract. With his numbers being consistent the past three seasons, it wouldn’t be a surprise to see Abreu ask for $20 million in arbitration this winter for next year’s salary. As it sits, the White Sox have been glad to see Abreu rebound and look more like his old self after he struggled earlier in the season. “It certainly makes you more confident as you see him over the last six weeks,” general manager Rick Hahn said. “We have an easier time projecting he will be the same player he was the first two years of his career. In candor, you certainly want him to perform to the max of what you are projecting. We have certainly seen that over the last six weeks.” Will that be good enough to keep Abreu in a White Sox uniform the next three seasons? The White Sox have made clear they have no untouchables. Hahn will be the most popular executive — and possibly the most active in baseball — as he listens to other general managers’s offers for Abreu, Sale, Quintana and more once the season ends.