Danks to push hard through end of season

CHICAGO -- As far as John Danks knows, he will be starting every fifth day through the end of the 2013 campaign.

The White Sox clearly are out of playoff contention, and Danks began his offseason throwing program early as part of his comeback from season-ending arthroscopic shoulder surgery last August. But the veteran hurler is looking forward to consistent work.

"[White Sox pitching coach Don Cooper] and [White Sox head athletic trainer] Herm [Schneider] and I have talked about it," Danks said. "We all kind of feel at this point it would be more detrimental to me to miss a start. And that doesn't mean we get in the middle of September and maybe skip a start here or there.

"For the time being, the plan is for me to take the ball every time out. It's only helping me to go out and throw."

Manager Robin Ventura spoke again Wednesday about pushing young starters such as Chris Sale and Jose Quintana a little further than last season, with Quintana specifically understanding how that extended workload feels going into next season.

"It's beneficial," Ventura said. "On the other hand, you do want to protect them a little bit and not overuse them."

September spots will open up to skip a starter or two once rosters expand. Danks might be one of those starters who misses a turn, but right now, he feels great and ready to go. He has even been throwing two side sessions between starts to continue his post-surgery improvement.

"I've thrown at least one side between every start. I'd say half or a little more than half I've thrown two," Danks said. "They aren't full bore, but it's good to get out there and play catch and then finish with 20 pitches on the mound. I think it has helped me. There's plenty of stuff to work on, like I said."