Chicago White Sox: Carlos Rodon recovering well from TJS

The Chicago White Sox are going to have a strong pitching staff in 2020, but it could get even better with the addition of a certain left-hander at some point during the season.

The Chicago White Sox, as well as the other 29 teams in MLB, are struggling to get some good news during this rough time where nobody is able to play.

However, the organization did get some positive news with regards to Carlos Rodon, who is recovering from Tommy John Surgery.

As detailed by Daryl Van Schouwen of the Chicago-Sun Times, Rodon said that he believes that June is a “realistic” return date for him.

Rodon, 27, only made seven starts in 2019 before going down with a torn UCL and hasn’t pitched in a game since.

However, the southpaw appears to be very confident that he is getting close to being ready to take the mound again.

"“I’m still on schedule,” Rodon said. “I’m pretty close to 100 percent, but that said I haven’t thrown to a hitter yet and that will be a different feeling. I feel good.”“For me, I see the light at the end of the tunnel, barring the situation the world is in of course,” he added. “Coming off one [shoulder] injury and going to another has been a tough road, but I feel like I’m over the hump now.”"

Hearing that he’s almost completely healthy is a very good sign at this stage.

Nonetheless, his health is the biggest issue for him and is what could possibly stand in his way this season.

It also remains to be seen what a significant delay to the season’s start would do in terms of changing his return date for the South Side.

Another issue for him could be that he’ll have to earn himself a rotation spot when he does return, though, as the Chicago White Sox appear to have a full rotation with Lucas Giolito, Dallas Keuchel, Gio Gonzalez, Reynaldo Lopez, and Dylan Cease.

On top of it, another arm recovering from Tommy John Surgery, in Michael Kopech, is also going to have to earn his way into the rotation.

As I noted last year, though, the team shouldn’t be relying on Rodon or even Kopech this season, with them still really needing to prove they are ready to return to the major leagues before they trust either one again.

It certainly is possible one or even both of them could join the team as a reliever this season, given the amount of quality arms in the rotation already.

With that being said, though, starting pitching injuries always emerge throughout the season so there’s no reason to think Rodon won’t make any starts for the Chicago White Sox in 2020, but the team certainly has no need to rush his return.