Pregame notes: Jonathan Cannon optioned

As Josh noted on the podcast on Thursday night, Jonathan Cannon's recent three-start stretch (12 IP, 18 H, 18 ER, 6 H, 6 BB, 13 K) was of the quality where the team might intervene.

"He’s been fighting his delivery," said general manager Chris Getz, after optioning Cannon to Triple-A Charlotte. "He is healthy, says he’s healthy, you look at the strength testing, the mobility when he’s with the trainers and strength coaches. When it comes to pitching, you can have an idea of where you want to take the ball, but if your body is not getting in line to do that you’re going to have your struggles."

The Sox didn't dismiss the idea that Cannon could return to the majors relatively quickly if he demonstrates a new ability to be aggressive and effective within the strike zone. My wrongheaded assessment that Cannon was probably safe for now was rooted in the notion that the Sox needed his innings too much in the immediate future to make a performance-based demotion, and at least partially to my point, Tyler Alexander being the bulk option to lead a bullpen game on Monday in his stead doesn't read as a long-term solution.

"If he goes down there and he makes those adjustments and we see them sustain over a couple starts, I don't think there's any reason why we can't get him back," Will Venable said of Cannon's timeline. "We need him, we want him here. He's one of our guys. We'll see how long it takes. We'll take it start by start. But expecting him to contribute later in the summer for sure."

Martín Pérez is making the second of what should be three rehab starts on Friday night--and is doing so with Double-A Birmingham for reasons that couldn't be fully pinned down (hates Syracuse, NY?)--and could be an option soon.

Wikelman González was added to the bullpen in Cannon's stead. Since Cannon's rotation placement is already on the roster, perhaps the rookie has time to gain a foothold.

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Chase Meidroth (right thumb contusion) should start swinging a bat again on Monday. Getz said that Miguel Vargas (left oblique strain) is "not too far behind him," but he also said that Meidroth would start swinging again this weekend before Venable clarified that it wouldn't be until Monday.

It would be unsurprising for either of them to require at least a handful of rehab games. In the mean time, Curtis Mead has been playing a lot of first base, but it sounds as if Getz intends to see him at second and third in the future.

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Noah Schultz and Hagen Smith are both going to pitch in the Arizona Fall League, per Getz. Injuries and inefficiency have limited the workloads of both this season.

Schultz is at 68 combined innings between Double and Triple-A when the Sox initially targeted for him to reach ~110 this year. It was almost three weeks ago that he was scratched from a start with the Charlotte Knights for right knee discomfort and he remains on the IL, though Getz said his "soreness seems to be very minimal at this point."

Smith is active, but has only thrown 50 innings with the Barons this year after missing six weeks both for elbow soreness, and the Sox sidelining him to work on his mechanics.

Towering (6'9") right-handed relief prospect Carson Jacobs is also expected to be part of the White Sox group pitching in the AFL this October. Jacobs, 23, has a 6.05 ERA at High-A Winston-Salem in 41 2/3 innings, but his stat line doesn't require much parsing to discern the challenges he faces (34 walks) nor why he still carries appeal (58 strikeouts).

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A year ago today, the White Sox fired Pedro Grifol. Where were you? I was dropping off my wife at work. My plans to buy myself a truly indulgent coffee and breakfast sandwich afterward were tragically canceled.

First pitch: White Sox vs. Guardians

TV: CHSN

Radio: ESPN 1000 AM, WRTO 1200 AM

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