Gonzalez eyes strong final start
Forget what the standings say. ForWhite Sox righthander Miguel Gonzalez, his startWednesday will carry plenty of meaning.
‘‘ It’s a big day,’’ Gonzalez said. ‘‘ Finish strong and then startworking hard for next season.’’
Gonzalez, 32, will make his 23rd and final start of the season when he takes the mound against the Tampa Bay Rays. The start will mark the end of a busy season for Gonzalez, who was released by the Baltimore Orioles at the end of spring training and signed a minor- league deal with the Sox one day before the season opener.
After a stint at Class AAA Charlotte, Gonzalez earned a spot at the back end of the Sox’ rotation after the team released left- hander John Danks and right- hander
Mat Latos and traded righthander Erik Johnson to the San Diego Padres in the deal for right- hander James Shields.
Gonzalez has made 10 quality starts in his last 12 outings and is 4- 8 with a 3.98 ERA overall.
Gonzalez said he hopes to return to the Sox in 2017.
‘‘ I like the team,’’ he said. ‘‘ We have good chemistry here. We’ve got to build on the good side, everything we did, and just keep moving forward.’’
Green light
Outfielder Adam Eaton returned to the lineup after missing three games because of a sore hip and whiplash suffered when he crashed into the outfield wall Friday in Cleveland.
With 152 games played this season, Eaton trails only first baseman Jose
Abreu ( 154) and third baseman Todd Frazier ( 153) on the team.
‘‘ It’s pretty easy to pack it in at this point and sit on the bench and cheer on the team,’’ said Eaton, who went 2- for- 5 with two runs scored and an RBI. ‘‘ But I want to get back out there and finish this year playing. I think you owe it to the city. You owe it to the fans. You owe it to your own teammates to finish this season off.’’
No tinkering
Manager Robin Ventura said he isn’t ready to experiment with funky lineups as the season winds down.
‘‘ Not yet,’’ he said. ‘‘ There are some guys that are still looking for personal things, and you want to make sure you’re respectful of that.’’