The White Sox have thrown a curve to reliever Cliff Politte, who might not come off the disabled list Tuesday as planned.
The right-hander learned Saturday that he might go to the minor leagues for a two-game rehabilitation assignment.
“I haven’t seen a hitter in days [and] it’s been thought about, but no one said anything about it until [Saturday],” said Politte, who is recovering from tendinitis in his right shoulder but plans to pitch despite bone spurs that affect his range of motion.
“If [the uncertainty is] something bigger, then it’s out of my control. I’ve got to throw [in the minors] to see some hitters and get some arm strength, that’s all I know.”
Manager Ozzie Guillen said he would talk with general manager Ken Williams and trainer Herm Schneider before deciding what to do about Politte.
“It’s not a big deal,” Guillen said. “Kenny wants to work it that way to make sure he’s fine and ready to go. He doesn’t want him to face the big-league level. He wants him to go [to the minors], and whenever he’s ready to go, he’s coming back here.”
Politte said he felt normal soreness after a 50-pitch bullpen session Saturday. He is scheduled to throw again on the Sox’s day off Monday.
Sending Politte on a rehab assignment would give the Sox the comfort of knowing he will have pitched under game conditions for the first time since June 4 before he rejoins the team.
It also would allow rookie right-hander Agustin Montero more time in the majors. In the 11 games before Saturday night at Cincinnati, the bullpen has posted a 2.13 ERA and lowered its ERA from 4.80 to 4.37 after surrendering 12 runs on 15 hits in the first four games of June.
Politte, who has a 7.40 ERA in 23 games, is out of options.
