BOSTON -- When White Sox general manager Rick Hahn eloquently speaks at future charity events, as he did Saturday during the Saber Seminar in Boston, he might not be quite as forthcoming with potential upcoming roster information.
Hahn was asked by a gentleman in the crowd what he should tell his son about the promotion schedule for the White Sox young players. Hahn responded by saying the fan and his son might want to look into the Kansas City series beginning this Friday night at Guaranteed Rate Field, a statement quickly picked up by social media.
Reynaldo Lopez, the No. 6 White Sox prospect and No. 59 overall prospect per MLBPipeline.com, would be in line to start Friday for the White Sox after taking the mound for Triple-A Charlotte on Sunday. But when talking to the media at Fenway Park on Saturday evening, Hahn would only confirm Lopez's next Minor League start.
"After that start, we'll make an evaluation about what's best in terms of his next steps," said Hahn of Lopez. "As I said last week, he is certainly forcing the issue and seems to be ready for that next step. Right now, our plan is for him to start for Charlotte [on Sunday] and then you can ask me on Tuesday."
Lopez has fanned 54 over his past 41 2/3 innings, and on a Friday conference call to talk about his White Sox Minor League Pitcher of the Month honor for July, Lopez acknowledged his preparedness to pitch for the White Sox. But the team seems to prefer having Lopez start his run at home against the Royals instead of Sunday at Fenway or against the American League West-leading Astros on Tuesday.
"It's part of the equation," Hahn said. "The conversation -- at this charity event -- was about some of the decision-making, some of the factors that go into a promotion of a young player.
"We talked about them answering all of the questions we have for them at the Minor league Level from a mechanical standpoint, a mental preparation standpoint, a performance standpoint. And then finding them the opportunity to contribute at the big league level and ideally the best matchups going forward to give them an opportunity for success."
Third to first
• Matt Davidson missed his fourth straight game with a bruised right wrist caused by a Marcus Stroman hit-by-pitch Tuesday. But he took batting practice Saturday and is feeling less discomfort.
• Hahn had a fairly quiet July 31 leading up to the 3 p.m. CT non-waiver Trade Deadline, having already moved seven players since the start of the second half before that date.
"I was texting with other GMs and was waiting for the phone to ring, knowing it wasn't likely going to," said Hahn on what he did July 31. "Chatted things through with the staff and got ready for a ballgame."