When the White Sox play the Cleveland Indians at Progressive Field on Wednesday, Jose Contreras is not going to take his scheduled turn in the rotation.
"We?re going to start somebody else," manager Ozzie Guillen said after Friday night?s 6-0 loss to the Rangers at U.S. Cellular Field. Guillen was hoping for a strong outing from Contreras against Texas, but the 37-year-old righty finally ran out of chances after lasting just 3? innings and allowing 5 runs (3 earned) on 6 hits and 2 walks. Contreras also hit a batter and threw 2 wild pitches.
Now 0-5 with an 8.19 ERA in 6 starts, Contreras knew what was coming when Guillen called him into his office after the loss.
"It?s expected," Contreras said through an interpreter. "It?s logical. They have to do what they have to do to put the team in a position to win."
Guillen said he?ll talk with general manager Kenny Williams over the next few days about a new starting pitcher. If the Sox simply move Contreras to the bullpen, they could shift one of their current relievers, Clayton Richard, D.J. Carrasco or Lance Broadway, to the rotation.
But there is an intriguing candidate at Class AAA Charlotte ? Carlos Torres. The 26-year-old righty is 3-1 and his 0.96 ERA is the best in the International League.
Contreras, in the final season of a three-year, $29 million contract, made a lightning quick comeback from a torn left Achilles? tendon suffered last August. He?s had other injures in the past, but the veteran starter said health is not the problem.
"I feel good and my leg feels good," Contreras said. "The issues are I left the ball up and location."
Contreras? inability to get ahead in the count was the big factor again Friday. He fell behind each of the first four hitters he faced in the first inning, and Texas jumped out to a 1-0 lead. In the second, the Rangers had 2 hits and took advantage of third baseman Josh Fields? throwing error to go up 3-0. Two more runs in the fourth inning forced Guillen to make another early hook.
"It?s not fair to the ballclub to keep sending him out there without any results," Guillen said. "Jose feels bad. He?s disappointed like everybody else."
Speaking of disappointing, the White Sox ? offense was shut out for the fifth time this season ? most in the major leagues.
"We?ve got a lot of guys struggling right now," Guillen said. "A lot."
