It wasn't a big surprise, but Carson Fulmer looked a lot better out of the White Sox bullpen than a few other relievers have in the first week of the 2019 season. However, following Monday's 5-1 loss to the Rays, the White Sox optioned Fulmer back down to Triple-A after calling him up just this morning.
Fulmer pitched three innings in relief of Carlos Rodon Monday. Fulmer was cruising before getting into a jam in the ninth, when he gave up two hits and then walked two batters to force in a run. Still, a pretty good outing after Rodon was only able to go 4.2 innings and Fulmer kept the White Sox in striking distance until the very end. Yet, it looks like the plan all along was for Fulmer just to be an extra reliever on Monday, as he was immediately sent back down. This came a day after six relievers were used on Sunday by the White Sox. The move hasn't been announced yet, but it has been anticipated since Ricky Renteria announced the starting rotation. The White Sox haven't needed a fifth starter yet because of the built in off days early on, but all signs point to Ervin Santana finally joining the pitching staff to make the start on Tuesday against the Rays.
Santana signed with the White Sox a few days before their first spring training game. He's coming off an injury-plagued 2018 season, when he only made five starts with the Twins after having surgery on his hand. Prior to last year, the right-hander put up some pretty impressive numbers. Although the FIP and xFIP do suggest that Santana was benefitting from some good fortune around him.
Santana started two games during spring training, pitching a total of nine innings. So, it looks like he's now fully stretched out for his first start of the regular season and it comes against a pesky Rays team that has the lowest ERA in baseball. The White Sox will try and stop their three-game losing streak at 1:10 p.m. Tuesday, when Santana will square off against Charlie Morton.
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