It’s official: Lopez to start Friday vs. K. C.
White Sox general manager Rick Hahn confirmed that righthander Reynaldo Lopez will be called up from Class AAA Charlotte and start Friday against the Royals at Guaranteed Rate Field.
Lopez, the No. 59 prospect in baseball and the top pitching performer at Charlotte, will replace Mike Pelfrey in the rotation with Pelfrey moving to the bullpen. Lopez was acquired with right- handers Lucas Giolito and Dane Dunning in the December trade with the Nationals for Adam Eaton.
“Obviously, the kid has worked extremely hard,’’ Hahn said Tuesday. “He’s had an outstanding season so far in Triple- A.’’
Before giving up three home runs and four runs in five innings Sunday against Gwinett, Lopez had not surrendered more than two runs in his previous seven starts. He struck out nine, giving him 131 strikeouts in 121 innings.
“It’s important [ to note] with any of these premium- type prospects as they come to Chicago — Reynaldo like Yoan [ Moncada] before him and others who will follow—[ that they are] by no means a finished product,’’ Hahn said. “There still will be some development that occurs here in Chicago.’’
Prospect Robert injured again
Prized Cuban outfield prospect Luis Robert has been sidelined with his second injury of the summer. He sprained his right ankle while running the bases in a Dominican Summer League game Monday. Robert, 20, is expected to miss seven to 10 days.
The 26th- ranked prospect in baseball ( MLBPipeline.com) and No. 4 on the Sox’ list, Robert also injured his left meniscus a month ago and returned to action only recently. Both injuries occurred on the basepaths.
Robert signed a $ 26 million bonus in May and cost the Sox an additional $ 26 million in tax for exceeding their international bonus pool.
He has performed well when he has been on the field, stealing 11 bases and hitting .284/. 500/. 463 with two home runs, six doubles and seven RBI in 24 games and 96 plate appearances. Robert is expected to finish the year in the Instructional League in the Dominican Republic and is not expected at the Sox’ training facility in Arizona until spring training.
“He’s done very well in the short period of time he’s been able to play, but between the knee and ankle, he hasn’t gotten to play for six, eight weeks straight,’’ Hahn said. “Hopefully, he’s back in seven to 10 days. He will finish the year out in the DSL.’’
Avi off DL, Davidson on
Avisail Garcia ( right thumb) came off the disabled list and was in the lineup against the Astros a day after his one- day rehab stint for Charlotte, but rookie third baseman Matt Davidson went on the 10- day disabled list, retroactive to Aug. 4, with a bruised right wrist.
Davidson, the Sox’ home- run leader with 22, hasn’t played since Aug. 1, when he was hit by a pitch from Blue Jays right- hander Marcus Stroman. He was penciled in to play Sunday in Boston but was a late scratch.
“I’mnot going to push it,’’ manager Rick Renteria said. “I’mnot going to put him in a position where I might cause him more harm. It was an easy decision to make, especially with Avi being ready.’’