White Sox General Manager Larry Himes sounds cool to the idea of signing ex-Sox pitcher LaMarr Hoyt. Although he cleared waivers Tuesday, there are several conditions that need to be resolved before Hoyt can sign with any team.
”If anything happens with him, it won`t be until spring training of 1988,” said Himes. ”I think he`s got to go out there and pitch. I don`t know what kind of condition he`s in. I don`t even know how bad he wants it.”
Himes added that he`s not interested in signing Hoyt to a minor-league contract this year.
The Sox`s newest pitching prospect might be Dave Cochrane. He made his fourth appearance Monday and picked up his first victory in Hawaii`s 5-4 defeat of Vancouver. He pitched two-thirds of an inning, allowing one run on two hits. He also started the game at designated hitter and got two hits.
The Sox are so impressed with Cochrane`s ability as a pitcher that he will join the Islanders` starting rotation. Cochrane, a third baseman when he`s not pitching, leads Hawaii in homers and RBIs.
Ron Hassey rejoined the team Monday. He`s been gone since having surgery to repair a ruptured bicep muscle earlier this month. He isn`t expceted to be able to play until August.
Neil Allen is making good progress from his pulled hamstring. He`s able to walk on the leg, although he`s far from running yet. ”I couldn`t run before I pulled it,” he said. Allen is shooting for July 4 return to action. ”Herm
(Schneider, Sox trainer) said I`m making great progress,” Allen said.
The Sox`s poor record is hurting them in the wallet. The Sox entered Tuesday`s game last in the league in attendance at 497,763. Cleveland is 13th with 509,994.
No surprise here. NBC decided against televising Saturday`s game with California. Consequently, the Sox pushed back the starting time from 2:20 p.m. to 3 p.m. The game will be on WFLD-TV (Ch. 32).
