Rodon joins White Sox bullpen
Club's top prospect adds left-handed depth
DETROIT -- Carlos Rodon joined the White Sox on Monday as the southpaw's contract was purchased from Triple-A Charlotte. He will initially work out of the bullpen.
The left-hander, who is the organization's No. 1 prospect and No. 15 overall, according to MLB.com, made a case to break camp with the team out of Arizona, after getting the chance to start during Spring Training because of Chris Sale's injury. But the team chose to send him to Triple-A Charlotte, where he worked on fastball command and his changeup over two starts.
Rodon, 22, fanned 13 over 10 innings and walked four, bringing his professional totals to 51 strikeouts and 17 walks over 34 2/3 innings. The organization's goal was to have Rodon stay with the team once he made the jump and not go back and forth between the Minors and Majors.
• Callis: What to expect from Rodon
A strong chance exists that Rodon eventually could take one of the five starting spots this season, but he will begin as the third left-hander in the White Sox bullpen. It makes a strong unit even stronger with another a difference-maker in the mix.
Video: Jim Callis on Carlos Rodon's call to the Majors
There was little doubt that Rodon would help the team at some point this season, and with the White Sox struggling out of the gate, he could provide a needed jolt to the overall system. Rodon told MLB.com after his first Cactus League start that if it was up to him, he felt Major League ready. But Rodon also was the consummate young team player, being seen but not heard during his stint in big league camp.
"It's a decision they have to make," said Rodon back in March. "It doesn't matter what I think sometimes."
Additionally, the White Sox recalled RHP Jake Petricka (right forearm strain) from his injury rehabilitation assignment at Charlotte and reinstated him from the 15-day disabled list, placed RHP Javy Guerra on the 15-day disabled list (retroactive to April 13) with right shoulder inflammation and designated RHP Kyle Drabek for assignment.
Rodon, the club's top pick in the 2014 First-Year Player Draft and the No. 3 selection overall, joins the White Sox just three days after Kris Bryant joined the Cubs on Friday.