LOS ANGELES -- White Sox right-hander Dylan Covey was in familiar territory Tuesday after being activated from the 10-day disabled list (left oblique strain) to join the team for its two-game set at Dodger Stadium.
Covey -- a Pasadena, Calif., native who grew up a Dodgers fan -- said he'll have a lot of family and friends on hand over the next two days to hopefully see him pitch for the first time. They'll get to see Covey in an unfamiliar role, though, as he'll begins his first stint as big league reliever.
"There are five spots in the rotation, and they traded [Tyler] Clippard, and I kind of came up for that last spot on the roster," said Covey, who made two relief appearances in his rehab with Triple-A Charlotte. "I felt really comfortable [during rehab] and I had command of all my pitches."
Covey (0-4, 8.12 ERA) has made eight starts for the White Sox this season, which were the first of his Major League career. He said he expected the oblique injury to sideline him for just a couple of weeks, but he's been out since May 26.
White Sox manager Rick Renteria foresees Covey working multiple innings when called upon but didn't solidify him into that long-relief role.
"We may have to use him multiple innings and stretch him out to that point and then pull back and give him a day or two to rest," Renteria said. "We plan on using him in various situations."
Covey, who celebrated his 26th birthday on Monday, knows he'll need to adjust his routine as a reliever.
"It's just being able to get ready very fast," Covey said. 
The White Sox acquired Covey from the Oakland A's through the Rule 5 Draft this past offseason.