Swarzak swap leaves bullpen even shorter
The White Sox traded one more bullpen arm away Tuesday, sending right- hander Anthony Swarzak to the Brewers for outfielder Ryan Cordell, a majorleague source confirmed.
Swarzak, who is 4- 3 with a 2.23 ERA in 41 relief appearances in his first year with the Sox, was arguably the best reliever left in the bullpen after the trade of David Robertson and Tommy Kahnle to the Yankees last week. Cordell, 25, is the Brewers’ No. 17 prospect according to MLB. com. He also has played shortstop and third base.
The deal has not been announced by either team. Swarzak, 31, signed a minor- league deal with an invite to spring training during the offseason and has been a pleasant surprise with one of his best seasons. He pitched 1„ scoreless innings to record his first career save against the Cubs onMonday atWrigley Field. He was needed in the ninth after the Sox traded closer Robertson and late- inning setup man Kahnle along with Todd Frazier to the Yankees.
Cordell was batting .284/. 349/. 506 with 10 homers and nine steals for the Brewers’ Class AAA affiliate at Colorado Springs.
Lopez up next?
With an open spot on the roster and pitching staff, speculation heated up that right- hander Reynaldo Lopez could be the next prospect to follow YoanMoncada from Class AAA Charlotte. The right- hander has been lights- out with a 1.71 ERA, 39 strikeouts and six walks in 31‰ innings over his last six starts.
Veteran right- hander James Shields saw Lopez, who came to the Sox in the Adam Eaton trade, during spring training and during his rehab stint at Charlotte.
“He has electric stuff,’’ Shields said. “He attacks hitters, and he’s not scared. He’s going to be a really good big- league pitcher.’’
Lopez, ranked sixth among Sox prospects by Baseball America, made six starts and 11 appearances for the Nationals last year and posted a 5- 3 record and 4.91 ERA. So it won’t be uncharted territory.
“I’d give him the same advice I got— don’t change a thing,’’ Shields said. “Pitch exactly to your strengths and don’t change because it’s a certain hitter. Be aggressive and attack him. You’ll be able to make adjustments as you go.’’
Lopez is 6- 5 with a 3.65 ERA and 107 strikeouts in 106 innings at Charlotte. If he joins the rotation, the Sox could move starter Mike Pelfrey to the bullpen.
Qin blue
JoseQuintana was slotted to face the Sox on Thursday at Guaranteed Rate Field, but the Cubs bumped him back a day to face the Brewers, an NL Central foe.
“That would’ve been a little weird for me to face theWhite Sox, but one day, for sure, I would want to face theWhite Sox,’’ he said.
Going to the North Side made for the easiest of logistical transitions and put Quintana in position to pitch in the postseason for the first time, a win- win for the left- hander.
“I’m feeling really good,’’ said Quintana, who is 2- 0 in two starts, against the Orioles and Cardinals. “And I’m excited to be here.’’
Quintana said it was strange talking to teammates across the field but knows “it’s part of the game.’’
Quintana and Cooper exchanged a big hug and had a chat.
“I said, ‘ Hi, Coop,’ and he says I look good in blue,’’ Quintana said. “I said yes, but it’s a little weird.’’