Johnson to join 'semi 6-man rotation'

CHICAGO -- Erik Johnson will get more September starts, White Sox manager Robin Ventura said Monday, a day after Johnson allowed three solo homers and just two other hits over six innings in a victory over the Royals.

"It's probably going to be fitting him in a little bit more," Ventura said of Johnson. "There's thoughts of somewhere down the line, [Frankie Montas] gets a start too.

"So with Erik, I think the way he threw yesterday, he gets another shot at going out there. It will probably be a semi six-man rotation in a way. You can get everybody an extra day. You can kind of play games with it and slot guys a little bit differently if you need to, but he'll definitely be pitching a couple more."

Ventura only was ready to announce the rotation through this three-game home set against Cleveland. He reiterated that rookie Carlos Rodon, who enters Tuesday's start with 118 2/3 innings at the big league level, could be shut down. But another option is to possibly skip him for Johnson and give Rodon extra rest.

"Can he go to the end of year? Yeah, I think he can go to the end of the year," Ventura said of Rodon. "It also depends where we are at."

Montas wasn't included by Ventura in the rotation moving forward, but look for the hard-throwing right-hander to get a start in the Sept. 21 doubleheader at Detroit.

Johnson seemed satisfied with his return to the big leagues one day after taking the mound. He also reported no bruises or pain from getting struck with the barrel of Alex Gordon's broken bat on a grounder to end the sixth.

Video: CWS@KC: Johnson hit with bat, call overturned for out

"No flesh wound or anything like that," Johnson said. "It was a scary moment. I was very thankful that I came out healthy with no severe injuries. I turned to look at the ball going to shortstop and I turned back around and there's a bat five feet from my head. I was thankful to get my hands up and cover my … cover my … essentials."

Worth noting

• Adam LaRoche was scratched from Monday afternoon's starting lineup with right patella tendinitis. LaRoche had a hit and an RBI in Sunday's victory, but was replaced by J.B. Shuck in Monday's lineup in right field with Avisail Garcia moving to designated hitter for LaRoche.

• With Triple-A Charlotte's season ending Monday night, second baseman Micah Johnson is expected to be called up to the White Sox. Johnson looks to be the only other White Sox callup, per Ventura.