Jake Petricka could be back in White Sox bullpen mix by Monday

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DETROIT -- The White Sox won’t hold Jake Petricka back when he’s ready to rejoin the club, which could happen as soon as Monday.

The relief pitcher is already set for a second rehab appearance on Saturday after he came out his first game in good shape, manager Robin Ventura said on Friday morning.

Ventura said Petricka, who finished last season with a 2.96 ERA and saves in 14 of 18 tries, would instantly become a trusted option in his bullpen.

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“He’s a good right-handed, ground-ball guy,” Ventura said. “He spent some time as the closer and I think last year was a good learning curve for him to be able to get back and hopefully get another (guy) in there that is a quality arm.”

Petricka tossed one inning for Triple-A Charlotte on Thursday nigh, throwing strikes on 11 of 16 pitches. His performance comes on the heels of a 25-pitch simulated game in Glendale, Ariz. earlier in the week.

The addition of Petricka would appear to further strengthen the back end of a bullpen already bolstered by the offseason additions of David Robertson, Zach Duke and Dan Jennings. With Zach Putnam struggling early -- though he threw a scoreless inning on Wednesday -- the White Sox haven’t had as much consistency from the right side in bridging the gap to Robertson.

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Petricka did an admirable job when he and Putnam split closing duties the final three months of last season. After injuries to Nate Jones and Matt Lindstrom, the White Sox were in salvage-mode in the late innings. Ronald Belisario struggled mightily but Putnam and Petricka converted 20 of 25 opportunities for a team that blew 21 saves.

“He threw well and all things are a go at this point for him to throw (Saturday) and we’ll re-evaluate after we see that,” Ventura said. “You pitch him where you need to pitch him. That’s why he’s out there. He’s been through enough already that you’re able to put him in there. It’s not like we’re going to ask him to go three or four innings.”

-- Ventura announced Jose Quintana would start Sunday’s series finale against the Detroit Tigers. The White Sox could have brought back Hector Noesi, who had his turn skipped with two days off this week.

-- Adam LaRoche is the starting designated hitter on Friday but should get a game at first base this weekend, Ventura said.

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-- Geovany Soto is the starting catcher for a second straight time with Jeff Samardzija. Ventura said he likes their previous work history. “He has a good feel for him and there’s a familiarity there so I like that,” Ventura said.

-- The White Sox don’t intend to call up Carlos Rodon just because the Cubs have promoted Kris Bryant. Rodon allowed three earned runs over five innings for Triple-A Charlotte on Thursday.

“I’m not going to sit here and (say) just because somebody else does something we have to do something,” Ventura said. “Until you get a report and you have a need, we’re playing in Detroit today.”

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