Thursday’s off day provided some relief to the White Sox’s taxed bullpen.
It also might have shifted more attention away from the Sox’s need for a starting pitcher.
“We’re looking at all aspects,” general manager Ken Williams said Thursday. “I will say we’re very confident in the guys we have.”
With Sunday’s 3 p.m. non-waiver trade deadline approaching, Williams said he was “discouraged on some fronts, and encouraged in others.”
“We’ll do the best we can,” said Williams, who will meet this weekend with some of his top scouts in Chicago to assess any trade proposals.
“Fortunately, we’re here with a club that doesn’t need anything major. It’s similar to last winter; some of the smaller parts add up to be sufficient.
“But it’s hard to tell what’s going to happen.”
There is some concern with the bullpen, however, because of its recent increased workload and closer Dustin Hermanson’s tender lower back.
Hermanson is one of three Sox relievers on pace to easily surpass their single-season high in appearances.
It’s a major contrast from the first month, when Neal Cotts and Cliff Politte went long periods without appearing in a game. The situation has changed so acutely that Luis Vizcaino appeared in four consecutive games before Thursday’s off day.
“I like to pitch every other day,” Vizcaino said. “Some guys have pitched a lot of games in a row and could use some rest.”
The Sox, with an 11 1/2-game lead in the American League Central with 62 games remaining, would like to clinch a division title and catch a breather before the playoffs.
But they have only three off days until Sept. 5, and with 20 consecutive games without an off day, rest is essential.
“We certainly have been using Cotts and Politte and to a lesser degree, Damaso [Marte], a lot,” pitching coach Don Cooper said. “And they have been doing a heck of a job. Every reliever has to go above and beyond from time to time. They certainly [have].
“But you don’t want them to go too much because they have been effective. You would love to have them rested and strong to continue to do a good job.”
Tuesday night’s 7-1 loss at Kansas City was a blessing in disguise because Vizcaino was the only reliever who warmed up and pitched, giving Politte and Cotts two straight days off.
Cooper joked with Politte and Cotts by telling them, “`Hope you enjoyed your days off. Now we’re back. “‘
The next day, the entire bullpen was used.
“Some times people think, `Oh, he was in only for one-third of an inning or he only threw 10 pitches,’ ” Cooper said. “But when you do that six out of seven days, getting up and getting hot, all that stuff . . . “
Searching for help outside the organization has been more difficult because there hasn’t been much separation between playoff contenders and also-rans.
Philadelphia, for instance, is within striking distance in the National League East and the wild-card playoff race. It would face a public outrage if it dealt closer Billy Wagner.
“There are a lot of teams fishing with the same bait,” Williams said.
Rookie Bobby Jenks has given the relievers a brief break by pitching two or more innings in three of his past four outings and striking out 13 batters in 8 1/3 innings since his July 6 promotion.
“With [Hermanson’s] back, other people have to pick up the slack for what’s left,” Cooper said. “To their credit, they have done it when asked.
“I hope we’ve given him a break to get his back in order. Maybe it’s a hidden benefit. The reality is when he’s down, we’re less, and guys get called upon more often.”
Politte actually likes the increased workload after long stretches of inactivity in April because of five off days in the first seven weeks and the Sox starters frequently pitching deep into games.
“I really don’t know when our next off day is, but they’re not like they were early in the season,” Politte said. “It’s good because I think if we have a lot of off days coming up, I don’t think we’d be as fresh.”
Hermanson has no qualms about the workload after making 29 relief appearances in the final two months of the 2004 season with San Francisco under manager Felipe Alou.
“Even in Montreal, it happened a lot,” Hermanson said. “Felipe just liked using his bullpen. Some people like Ozzie love to use their starters. I think we’ll be OK here.”
– – –
On ‘pen and needles
Manager Ozzie Guillen has a right to be concerned about the health of the White Sox’s bullpen entering the final 62 games of the regular season. Here’s a look at the workload of the Sox’s five most experienced relievers:
(PG: projected games for 162 game-season; SH: season high)
%%
RELIEVER GM PG SH
Neal Cotts 43 70 56
Cliff Politte 42 68 55
Luis Vizcaino 41 66 76
Damaso Marte 41 66 74
Dustin Hermanson 37 60 47
Sox magic number
51 Sox wins, Twins losses for Sox to clinch AL Central.
———-
mgonzales@tribune.com %%
