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Paulino struggling with command at Triple-A

CHICAGO -- Felipe Paulino's raw stuff hasn't appeared to be a problem since the start of the '14 campaign. But something continues to be missing for the veteran right-handed starter during his injury rehab assignment with Triple-A Charlotte.

Placed on the disabled list April 19 with right rotator cuff inflammation, Paulino has a 9.61 ERA over five starts with the Knights. He has yielded 29 hits and walked 16 over 19 2/3 innings and continues to deal with high pitch counts.

"The numbers are poor," said White Sox pitching coach Don Cooper. "He's a guy that I think is probably in the same position John Danks was last year, which is he's healthy, he continues to build up more strength.

"Physically, there's good-enough stuff there, but the command of that stuff isn't there. The efficiency of that stuff isn't there as of yet. We aren't giving up hope, but he just might need a little more time. When you see a guy using 20 to 25 pitches per inning, and after four innings, there's 100 pitches, here or Triple-A, that tells you a whole lot.

"His stuff is there -- 94, 95 mph, that's enough fastball if it's to the glove. The curve is enough if it's to the glove. The changeup is enough if it's to the glove. But he hasn't gotten enough to the glove."

Paulino came into this season having not pitched in a Major League game since June 2012 due to Tommy John surgery and a cyst on his shoulder. The 30-year-old had an 0-2 record with an 11.29 ERA over four starts with the White Sox this season.

Scott Merkin is a reporter for MLB.com. Read his blog, Merk's Works, and follow him on Twitter @scottmerkin.
Read More: Chicago White Sox, Felipe Paulino