Gonzalez an option if Latos doesn’t pan out
IN BRIEF
OAKLAND, Calif. — The White Sox know what they’re getting from the four left- handers in the rotation. From the righty? That’s where it gets dicey.
Mat Latos hasn’t made anyone feel certain just yet that he’s the answer, which is why general manager Rick Hahn probably went after Miguel Gonzalez with more urgency, signing the 31- yearold with a decent track record to a minor- league deal Sunday.
“You need to have options available should something not go according to plan,’’ Hahn said Monday before ace Chris Sale threw the first pitch of the season against the Oakland Athletics.
Latos, coming off knee and arm problems last season, “still is building a little bit’’ and showed signs of progress in three starts in Arizona despite a 10.38 ERA, Hahn said.
“Hopefully those continue into his first several starts in Chicago,’’ Hahn said.
“I don’t think we’ve seen the best from him yet. There’s still more there. He’s going to build endurance and crispness in his stuff.’’
Latos, like Gonzalez, has been good in the past. But if he doesn’t pan out, the Sox will need Gonzalez, Jacob Turner or Erik Johnson — who will pitch in the rotation at Class AAA Charlotte — to turn into a viable option.
Hahn said Gonzalez’s velocity was back to his norms later in camp.
“Everybody’s looking for pitching, and he’s got a chance if he pitches well,’’ manager Robin Ventura said. “If something happens up here, we’ll use him.’’
Gray gets food poisoning
A’s ace right- hander Sonny Gray went to an emergency room with food poisoning Monday morning and was scratched in favor of former Cubs lefty Rich Hill.
The A’s said Gray could pitch Tuesday but they would err on the side of caution, suggesting that might be a long shot.
“I was first wanting to make sure [ Sale] didn’t go eat lunch with him,’’ Ventura said.
Navarro gets the nod
With Gray being scratched, switch hitter Dioner Navarro got the nod to catch Sale instead of left- handed- hitting Alex Avila.
“It was a better matchup than having Avila in there,’’ Ventura said.
Navarro, new to the Sox this season, caught Sale in one Cactus League game and one minor- league game during spring training.
Ventura said who gets the start in this veteran tandem will depend on matchups and often “how they’re doing health- wise.’’
Garcia at DH
Avisail Garcia was the Sox’ first designated hitter of 2016, but that spot figures to be fluid with Melky Cabrera and even Adam Eaton taking some at- bats there.
“Everybody’s going to go through periods where they’re going to DH,’’ Ventura said. “I think it’s going to be better for them physically if we can rotate that around.’’
Garcia said he has no objection, even though he’s used to being on the field.
“Whatever is best for the team,” he said.
Opening Day J- Roll
Jimmy Rollins made his 16th consecutive Opening Day start, tying him with Albert Pujols for the longest active streak in baseball.