Sale drops appeal, starts 5-game suspension

CHICAGO -- Chris Sale dropped the appeal of his suspension from his involvement in an on-field fracas with the Royals on April 23. He began serving a five-game suspension on Thursday and will be available on Tuesday in Milwaukee.

Jeff Samardzija started serving his five-game suspension on Wednesday, with both choosing to act after their latest starts against Detroit. They are allowed to do their pregame work at the ballpark but cannot be with the team once the game begins. They also cannot be in the broadcast areas but can be in the ballpark.

Sale is coming off his second straight non-quality start, marking the first time since 2012 that one of the game's best starters has had back-to-back efforts of that nature. White Sox manager Robin Ventura does not seem worried concerning these brief Sale struggles.

Video: KC@CWS: Five ejected after fracas ensues in Chicago

"You know there is probably something there," said Ventura of Sale, who matched a career high with five walks over 5 1/3 innings Wednesday. "We'll go look at it on video and see if there's something there that's sticking out that is abnormal for him.

"But there is a trust that is still there. You can tell by his velocity and his changeup that he's still Chris Sale. There might be something that we can tweak, and I'm sure he and [pitching coach Don Cooper] will get in there and take a look at it."

• A number of White Sox players featured a neon yellowish/green shirt Thursday morning with a picture of a martini glass on the front, and Adam Eaton's head sitting atop the drink stirrer. The back had a quote used by Eaton a number of times, "I'm the straw that stirs the drink," to describe his role at the top of the offense.

Everyone seemed to have fun with the shirts, including Eaton. Ventura, a noted practical joker during his playing days, had nothing to do with the creation.

"I'm out of that business, so contrary to popular belief, I did not do it," Ventura said. "Guys do that all the time. You look at good teams over time and you have to have thick skin when you're in the clubhouse. I think that's just fun stuff."

• Carlos Sanchez, ranked No. 10 among White Sox prospects by MLB.com, is 17-for 31 (.548) with five doubles, two home runs, 11 RBIs, seven runs scored and three stolen bases over his last seven games for Triple-A Charlotte.