Manager Ozzie Guillen reaffirmed that Orlando Hernandez would make his next scheduled start Saturday at Minnesota while raising the possibility of rookie Brandon McCarthy being part of the White Sox’s playoff roster if they reach the postseason.
“If I need it, I’ll get it,” Guillen said. “If I think this kid is going to help us on the playoff roster, he definitely will be there. It’s just how many pitchers and position players we will pick.
“If there is a spot for him, right now I think he has earned a spot there. But we have to be careful what we’re doing because I don’t know if I’m going to start this kid. He might have to pitch out of the bullpen in the playoffs.”
McCarthy stopped some of the bleeding Sunday in a 6-1 loss to the Los Angeles Angels by allowing two runs in 5 2/3 innings in his first major-league relief appearance and his eighth major-league game.
But Guillen isn’t yet sold on McCarthy as a reliever because McCarthy has relieved only once in his professional career. Guillen added McCarthy knew before Sunday’s game he could be used in relief.”That’s fine if they need me in that spot too,” McCarthy said. “I’ve said all along, I’ll do what they tell me. And that’s the mentality I’ll have to stick to.”
Teammates such as slugger Frank Thomas noticed at Triple-A Charlotte during a rehabilitation assignment that McCarthy is very structured in his pregame routine. But McCarthy adjusted well to his new role.
“It was fine,” McCarthy said. “There are a couple of things I’d change. I wouldn’t throw before batting practice because my arm isn’t used to getting up and down like that. Other than that, out in the bullpen, get into a routine. It wasn’t as bad as I thought it would be.”
Guillen believes Hernandez isn’t pitching as badly as his 9-8 record.
“People think I took him out because everyone wants McCarthy pitching,” Guillen said. “I do too. Everyone wanted this kid (McCarthy) to pitch. But when guys pitch for you all year long and do what he (Hernandez) has done for this team, it’s not fair for him to be treated like this.
“I have confidence in my players, and I hope he does better in his next start.”
Hernandez is 2-0 against Minnesota this season, including a 5-1 victory at the Metrodome on April 8 in which he allowed one run and walked none in seven innings. Hernandez needs 8 1/3 innings to reach his third bonus payment of $187,500.
