Carroll returns to White Sox -- without a car
Right-hander's SUV stolen while pitching at Triple-A
CHICAGO -- The good news for Scott Carroll is that he was recalled by the White Sox from Triple-A Charlotte prior to Wednesday's game with Oakland, marking the right-hander's fourth stint with the team this season.
The bad news?
"Well, first off, my car was stolen in Chicago, so that was disheartening to come back to," Carroll said. "I have been dealing with that, but I made my way back to [my home in] Kansas City safe and sound."
Carroll's car was stolen near an area of Chicago known as Wicker Park, off Damen Avenue.
"I need to put [the license plate number] on a doodle hat," said a smiling Carroll, referring to the company in which he has part ownership. "So if anyone knows of a Cadillac Escalade driving around there, that would help out. I was gone in Charlotte the whole time, and it was stolen while I was gone. I came back to get my stuff and drive back home and it was gone."
Chris Sale worked three innings Sunday, followed by a 14-inning game Monday and Jeff Samardzija working three-plus innings Tuesday, leading to position players Leury Garcia and Alexei Ramirez each throwing a scoreless inning. With young right-hander Erik Johnson on the mound Wednesday, Carroll's services definitely were needed.
Over 13 relief appearances with the White Sox, Carroll has a 1-1 record with a 3.41 ERA and 21 strikeouts in 29 innings. He posted a 7-4 record with a 3.47 ERA in 16 starts with Triple-A Charlotte this season.
There was disappointment over not being part of the first wave of callups for Carroll, but he still fully expected to return, raising the White Sox active roster to 33.
"It's kind of hard when the Triple-A season is over with, and you know the possibility of being called up is still there," Carroll said. "I just took it easy though, have just been playing catch with friends, nothing too serious, but just trying to keep the arm in shape. It hasn't been that long since I've thrown. So I could go four or five innings right now and build up from there if they need me."
"Scottie's here, and as an innings eater, he's able to come in there if you need somebody," White Sox manager Robin Ventura said. "We don't enjoy having Leury and Alexei trying to do any more than that, so I would rather not use those guys."