Pregame notes: Alex Call Revenge Game

Shohei Ohtani is out of the lineup with left knee soreness, Munetaka Murakami is only two weeks into rehabbing from his Grade 2 right hamstring strain. The main attraction of the Dodgers coming to town is clearly former White Sox 2016 third-round pick Alex Call batting leadoff.

Unless someone else can think of something notable about this weekend. Like uh, well, Murakami's parents are in town?

"We went out for a late dinner and had some good times," Murakami said via interpreter. "I’m really happy that they are here. Obviously I wanted to show them playing in front of them, but that’s for next time. I want to heal up quickly and maybe next time they can see me play."

Otherwise, it's just two first-place teams squaring off. Ho-hum.

"It’s very clear that [the Dodgers are] doing a lot of things really well over there," said Will Venable. "Win two World Series and you look at what they’ve done this year, and you look at what they have in their minor league system and it’s obviously a very healthy organization that’s performing at a high level. So yeah, they’re as good as it gets.”

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Murakami "ran around" the past two days and has had his pain recede significantly from the initial time after the injury, but otherwise doesn't have any meaningful update on his 4-6 week projected recovery time.

"The pain has obviously gone done after two weeks, I’m really feeling good," Murakami said via interpreter. "It’s coming along well. Progress is being made day by day. I’m doing well in the rehab itself. Doing really well."

Kyle Teel has run the bases the past two days, caught in full gear, and hit against live pitching on the field as he works his way back from his right knee sprain. He's being evaluated on how he's recovering from every new step in activity level, but otherwise is closing in on a rehab assignment that should begin next week.

"It could be a matter of days before we send him out," Venable said.

Noah Schultz has another bullpen scheduled for Saturday, and if it goes well, his next step would also be a rehab assignment with Triple-A Charlotte to "throw a few innings."

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With an off day on Monday, Venable affirmed that the Sox are likely to just stay on rotation--which is currently a four-man group--through the Yankees series. The hole that needs to be filled wouldn't come up until next weekend in Detroit, and while most major prospect debuts have been timed up to happen at home, the Tigers offense would be a softer introduction to the majors than the Dodgers or Yankees.

Venable offered that with Joe Rock in tow, the Sox have enough options present to get through a bullpen game. But it's still notable when promoting a top prospect is suggested and the manager doesn't dismiss it or quickly change the topic.

"We don’t have a need right now," Venable said. "Until that comes up, [Hagen Smith will] be in the mix, just like a number of other people. Even with the way we were positioned internally with the roster as it is now, Joe Rock’s got a bunch of length, so we could sustain a bullpen day depending on what happens ahead of that. We’ll evaluate and see where we’re at closer to when that time comes.”

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--Chase Meidroth has a 21-game on-base streak and an 11-game hitting streak going.

--Andrew Benintendi is the only member of the White Sox lineup older than 26.

--Thursday's rained out game versus the Braves will be made up at 1:10pm on Aug. 20, in case you missed it.

--Murakami was asked if he had any tips for his teammates on facing Roki Sasaki and Yoshinobu Yammamoto: "That's a secret," he said via interpreter.

Sounds like a yes.

First pitch: White Sox vs. Dodgers

TV: CHSN

Radio: ESPN 1000 AM

Lineups: