Carroll struggling but staying in rotation

OAKLAND -- Despite getting knocked around for his second straight start on Tuesday night, rookie right-hander Scott Carroll will remain in the White Sox rotation.

Manager Robin Ventura confirmed as much with reporters on Wednesday, though it wasn't a ringing endorsement.

"Right now, he will," Ventura said.

The 29-year-old Carroll (1-3) has given up six earned runs on 11 hits in each of his past two starts, raising his ERA from 0.68 after his first two starts to 5.24. Carroll earned his first MLB callup on April 27, the same day top pitching prospect Erik Johnson was sent down to Triple-A Charlotte after enduring his own struggles to begin the season.

Since going 1-1 with a 6.46 ERA and 1.78 WHIP in five starts with the White Sox, Johnson has made three appearances for the Knights with a 2.84 ERA and 1.00 WHIP. Ventura said the team has been keeping tabs on the 24-year-old righty, making his return to Chicago sound inevitable.

Johnson gave up four earned runs on nine hits across six innings on Monday, and Ventura said the right-hander will make at least one more start with Charlotte.

"There's not a set plan of so many starts he has to have before he comes back," Ventura said. "You start getting reports and you go from there and make an assessment and judgment based on that. We'll just continue to monitor him."