Second-year White Sox flamethrower Grant Taylor has looked sharp in most of his one-inning outings early this season. He seemed unhittable in a two-inning opening appearance over the weekend in Kansas City and might also get a shot at some three-inning stretches.
But don’t expect any more than that this season from general manager Chris Getz’s prized right-hander.
Getz said Tuesday the Sox are aiming for about 100 innings from Taylor over the course of the season, and while “there’s different ways to get there,” none of those ways will include traditional starts.
“I don’t anticipate that,” Getz said. “We went to two innings out of the gate. I guess potentially we could go to three at some point. It’s more kind of knowing roughly where we want the marker to be and utilizing him in different roles and making sure he’s recovering well.”
Taylor, who pushed for a starting opportunity in the offseason, had struck out 10 batters in 8⅓ innings entering Tuesday, surrendering one run, six hits and two walks.
Four of his seven appearances have come as the opener ahead of bulk throwers, but the Sox are looking to fill the versatility gap left by Mike Vasil, last year’s Swiss Army man who’s down for the season after Tommy John surgery.
“If it makes sense to have him throw one or two innings at the front of the game or middle of the game or late in the game, we’re open to that,” Getz said. “But the openers with Grant have gone pretty well. He’s looked very comfortable himself, and it’s led to a positive team outcome as well.
“Nothing is set in stone with how we’re going to use him. More than anything, we hope that he can remain productive and healthy and help us win ballgames.”
Coming and going
Outfielder Everson Pereira belted a three-run homer in the third inning against the Rays in his return from a brief rehab assignment at Triple-A Charlotte in his recovery from a sprained ankle. He took the roster spot that opened with the trade of Lenyn Sosa to the Blue Jays on Monday.
The Sox also put right-hander Jonathan Cannon on the injured list with inflammation in his right hip after he left his first big-league game of the season Sunday with a harsh pitching line. After a wild pitch that advanced two inherited runners, Cannon walked three straight Royals batters, bringing two runs across home plate. That left him charged with a blown save in the third inning, one earned run and an infinite ERA.
It also resulted in a long afternoon for the bullpen as manager Will Venable tapped nine pitchers in nine innings for just the second time in Sox history.
Right-handed starter Sean Burke said he was loosening up before the Sox locked down a 6-5 win.
“I was sitting there trying to get in the game any way that I could,” he said. “I said I’d be ready to go down there if we needed it.”
Teelin’ better
Getz said catcher Kyle Teel could head out for a rehab stint next week as he nears a return from the injured list. He pulled a hamstring March 10 while playing for Team Italy in the World Baseball Classic.
Teel went through pregame workouts with team trainers in Kansas City and took batting practice Tuesday at Rate Field.
“He’s heading out in about a week or so,” Getz said. “He’ll begin his rehab, and we will bring him back when the time is right.”