DETROIT — This season has proved to be disastrous for the White Sox’ starting pitching.
Young right-handers Sean Burke — who was the team’s Opening Day starter — and Jonathan Cannon are in the minors, and left-handed prospects Hagen Smith and Noah Schultz have dealt with bouts of inefficiency and injuries.
Cannon, who was demoted Friday to Triple-A Charlotte, has been particularly baffling. He doesn’t have overwhelming stuff, but he showed strong command last season and regularly went deep into games. Between a back injury and an inability to throw strikes, Cannon’s struggles have put his spot in the rotation in flux. He allowed five runs and five hits in 2⅓ innings of relief Thursday against the Twins.
Manager Will Venable said his departing message to Cannon was about throwing strikes and executing in different parts of the zone.
‘‘We talked through the sinker and command of the sinker, which was something he wasn’t happy with that really contributed to some of the downfall [Thursday] for him,’’ Venable said before the Sox’ 7-5 victory against the Tigers. ‘‘With where we’re at in our bullpen, I was honest with him and said, ‘Hey, man, I don’t know if we can make it to your next time through with our bullpen.’ ’’
Cannon prided himself last season on his control, but that has abandoned him this season. His walk rate is 8.4%.
Cannon said he was tinkering with his sinker at Charlotte to induce more grounders — his 38.3% ground-ball rate is below the major-league average — but the results Thursday were more in line with his season performance. Opponents are batting .325/.324/.526 against his sinker this season.
‘‘He was open that this isn’t something that he’s really dealt with before, specifically with the sinker,’’ Venable said of Cannon’s struggles throwing strikes. ‘‘His ability to command that is something that he’s always had, and for whatever reason he’s lost it.
‘‘Outside of the sinker, he looked all right last night. His stuff looked pretty crisp. It’s just about the command.’’
Tauchman’s absence
Outfielder Mike Tauchman wasn’t in the lineup for a third consecutive game for the series opener against the Tigers. Venable said he is dealing with general body soreness.
Tauchman participated in baseball activities to see where he’s at, but the Sox ‘‘wanted to give him a couple of days to make sure he can recover.’’
With catchers Kyle Teel and Edgar Quero on fire at the plate and alternating as the designated hitter, Tauchman likely has to play the field to be in the lineup. He’s batting .271/.360/.408 with eight home runs.
Roster moves
The Sox selected the contract of outfielder Dominic Fletcher from Charlotte. He batted ninth and played center field against the Tigers. Fletcher, who went 2-for-4 with two doubles and two runs scored, batted .260/.317/.453 with 17 homers in 105 games at Charlotte.
‘‘[I] trust the guy out there on defense, plus-defense on the corners,’’ Venable said. ‘‘[He’s] closer to average in center field, but he’s one of those guys who has been around and you trust to get the job done.’’
• Reliever Dan Altavilla returned from his injury rehabilitation and was reinstated from the 15-day injured list.
• First baseman Tim Elko was optioned to Charlotte.