White Sox monitoring Smith: All-Star workload management

White Sox Monitoring Shane Smith’s Workload

The Chicago White Sox are monitoring Shane Smith’s workload in this final part of the season. Smith pitched three innings in Friday’s 4-2 loss to Cleveland in the first game of a split doubleheader. Manager Will Venable explained that the abbreviated start was planned.

“As we try to find ways to navigate the season with him, we thought a shorter outing was appropriate today,” Venable said.

Will Venable

Smith allowed two runs on back-to-back home runs by Daniel Schneemann and Angel Martinez in the second inning. The rookie right-hander struck out five and walked none in his 18th start of the year. Smith will participate in Tuesday’s All-Star Game in Atlanta as Chicago’s only selection for the American League team. He is 3-7 with a 4.26 ERA in 18 starts and 86 2/3 innings in his first season with the organization, after being selected in the Rule 5 draft in December.

“If they give me the ball, I’m definitely going to throw. No matter what,” Smith said about pitching in the Summer Classic.

Shane SmithWith the loss to the Guardians, the White Sox (31-63) have lost four of their last five games. Venable described the second-half plan for Smith as “start for start”.

“We have to find ways to be creative. We have to find ways to do the right thing. The number one priority is going to be to put ourselves in the best position to win the game. The second is, obviously, to put Shane in the best position to navigate the season. We will reassess at each turn of the rotation,” he added.

Will Venable

First baseman Tim Elko was placed on the 10-day injured list before the second game due to a sprained right knee. He was removed from the first game of the series due to knee discomfort. Elko was struck out in the first inning in his only at-bat on a warm and muggy afternoon. The 26-year-old rookie is batting .145 with four home runs and eight RBIs in 20 games. The outfielder Will Robertson was called up from Triple-A Charlotte. He was in the starting lineup in left field for the second game. Robertson, 27 years old, was acquired in a trade with Toronto on Thursday for cash.