Ventura not ready to make pitching-staff changes

CHICAGO -- The White Sox entered Sunday leading the Majors in runs per game (6.33), home runs (16) and on-base percentage (.359) while raking second in average (.285), OPS (.815) and slugging percentage (.456). Their pitching, however, hasn't been quite as consistent.

Felipe Paulino was unable to work at least six innings for a third straight start on Saturday against the Indians. Rookie Erik Johnson, who will open a three-game set against the Red Sox on Tuesday, took a step forward with his last effort at Coors Field, but he still has allowed 11 runs on 19 hits in just 10 1/3 innings.

Reliever Scott Downs has not recorded an out in three of his five appearances, while the bullpen as a whole has walked 24 and posted a 7.53 ERA over 34 2/3 innings. Much of the struggles can be chalked up to small sample size, but even in this reshaping mode, the White Sox won't wait all season for a course correction.

"You know the old saying, 'You're only as happy as your least happy kid?' That's what it is with a team," White Sox manager Robin Ventura said. "You're always concerned about the guys that maybe aren't feeling as good or aren't doing as well.

"Is it the bullpen? Is it the pitchers? Yeah. I think when a guy only goes five [innings], you're concerned about him and you want to get him better. Hitters who aren't doing well, you do the same thing."

Ventura added that changes eventually are part of the game if things don't get better. As for a specific time frame, Ventura said that "you know when you know."

"That's just part of what we do," Ventura said. "It's possible at some point. Right now, I don't foresee it."

General manager Rick Hahn has repeatedly made the point that the White Sox won't rush any prospects just to get a quick fix at the big league level.