MINNEAPOLIS -- Right-hander Reynaldo Lopez could be nearing a reunion with the White Sox rotation.
Lopez, who has been on the shelf with a back strain, threw a successful second bullpen session on Tuesday at Target Field prior to a tilt with the Twins. The first bullpen session took place over the weekend at Guaranteed Rate Field. It was a sign of progress for Lopez after he was placed on the 10-day disabled list on Aug. 19.
"He's been doing really well. He's feeling good," White Sox manager Rick Renteria said. "I think he's progressing positively and we hopefully will be seeing him soon."
Lopez made a pair of starts for Chicago in August after being promoted from Triple-A. In two starts, Lopez allowed eight runs off nine hits across 10 1/3 total frames. His last appearance came on Aug. 17 at the Rangers, in which he was charged with six runs across 4 1/3 innings.
The White Sox plan to assess Lopez over the next few days before deciding what to do next with him.
"We are not going to push it, but when he's ready to go and the slot is available, he will be back in there," Renteria said.
Lopez's return would be a boon for a club that has struggled on the mound for much of the season.
Entering Tuesday, the White Sox posted a 5.12 ERA as a rotation over a total of 692 2/3 innings of work. That rotation ERA ranks better than only two staffs (Reds and Orioles) in all of baseball. Meanwhile, Chicago's strikeout-to-walk clip of 7.8 percent is tied with Texas for worst mark in the Majors.
Worth noting
White Sox pitching coach Don Cooper didn't fly with the team to Minnesota due to an illness. He is expected to rejoin the team on Wednesday.