Why White Sox starting rotation could soon get huge boost

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CLEVELAND -- Rick Renteria’s rotation could get a boost soon as Carlos Rodon got another step closer to the majors on Sunday afternoon.

Rodon threw 84 pitches at Triple-A Charlotte, the second outing the White Sox pitcher has made since he began his rehab assignment last week. While Rodon got his pitch count up, he issued four walks and allowed four runs and five hits in 3 2/3 innings. Rodon struck out three. Earlier this week, Rodon pitched 3 1/3 innings at Single-A Winston-Salem before he moved to the bullpen for extra work.

“He's been down a long time so these starts we really need to accumulate some pitches, get up and down, also have him continue to find the zone, command the strike zone,” Renteria said. “He's well on his way to obviously being here with us somewhere down the road, obviously. The health is the primary focus. Also him just getting the feel again for pitching and commanding the zone. Hopefully he'll be here soon.”

Rodon went on the 10-day disabled list with left shoulder bursitis to start the season and was later transferred to the 60-day DL. Though initially slow to get off the mound, Rodon has made considerable progress since he threw a bullpen session in early May. He and veteran James Shields have both trended upward recently, though Shields is probably closer to returning. Shields has made two rehab starts at Charlotte (he allowed two runs in five innings on Thursday) and is set to make another this week.

The White Sox starting rotation could most decidedly use the boost. Heading into Sunday, White Sox starting pitchers had made two quality starts in their previous 18 efforts, accumulating a 6.43 ERA in 84 innings.

“It's a good thing,” Renteria said. “They're both progressing well. As long as they stay healthy and continue to get on the hill and bring their inning and pitch counts up, they're on the right track.”

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