Freddy Garcia has moved into position to start for the White Sox.
The question is whether he will start Tuesday when the Sox need a fifth starter, possibly taking over if Jose Contreras should struggle, or provide insurance in September.
“We know he has heart and guts and major-league experience,” said pitching coach Don Cooper, who received positive reports from Triple-A Charlotte pitching coach Richard Dotson after Garcia struck out nine and walked none while allowing two earned runs in six innings in a loss to Pawtucket on Tuesday.
“But the thing I’m concerned about is here’s a guy we’ve taken eight of the 10 furlongs in the race. Do you want to pick up the ninth and 10th furlong here, or do you want to give him another [start] and make sure he has completed the task you set out to do?”
Manager Ozzie Guillen exchanged text messages with Garcia and received encouraging reports from a few scouts who watched him pitch. Guillen and Cooper said they would talk to general manager Ken Williams to decide Garcia’s next start.
Garcia, who was 40-21 for the Sox from 2004 to ’06, has a 1.80 ERA with 19 strikeouts and one walk in 20 innings over four minor-league starts for the Sox.
His fastball ranged Tuesday from 86 to 91 m.p.h., Cooper said.
Colon update: Pitcher Bartolo Colon is in Arizona rehabilitating his sore right elbow but has yet to resume throwing, Guillen said.
“The only time I expect him to be here is the September call-up,” Guillen said.
Colon has been on the 15-day disabled list since July 25.
Extra innings: Guillen said he hasn’t heard directly from Major League Baseball regarding a warning for his comments threatening retaliation if his batters continue to be hit. “Every year I say the same stuff,” Guillen said.
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Big number
87
Lineups used by the White Sox this season. Wednesday’s, of course, was the first of many featuring Alex Rios in the outfield. Rios batted third and played right field.
