WHITE SOX HEADLINES OF MAY 4, 2016 Quintana quiets Red Sox as Abreu stays hot Scott Merkin and Ian Browne, MLB.com Abreu s bat sizzling after early

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1 WHITE SOX HEADLINES OF MAY 4, 2016 Quintana quiets Red Sox as Abreu stays hot Scott Merkin and Ian Browne, MLB.com Abreu s bat sizzling after early fizzle Scott Merkin, MLB.com Danks released, ending 10-year run with White Sox Scott Merkin, MLB.com White Sox soar out of tough first month Scott Merkin, MLB.com White Sox season too magical to keep Danks Phil Rogers, MLB.com Buchholz, Rodon square off in Sox-Sox series Scott Merkin, MLB.com Jose Quintana giving White Sox another ace to play as early season success rolls on JJ Stankevitz, CSN Chicago White Sox designate John Danks for assignment Dan Hayes, CSN Chicago White Sox react to John Danks departure Paul Roumeliotis, CSN Chicago White Sox: For John Danks, shoulder surgery was a mixed bag JJ Stankevitz, CSN Chicago Rick Hahn: Filling fifth spot in White Sox rotation a fluid situation Dan Hayes, CSN Chicago Tuesday s recap: White Sox 4, Red Sox 1 Colleen Kane, Chicago Tribune Jose Quintana s arm and Jose Abreu s bat plenty in 4-1 White Sox victory Colleen Kane, Chicago Tribune With focus on a special summer, White Sox part with veteran John Danks Colleen Kane, Chicago Tribune Tough decision on John Danks the right one for White Sox GM Rick Hahn David Haugh, Chicago Tribune Sept. 30, 2008: White Sox piggyback on John Danks effort to win AL Central Mark Gonzales, Chicago Tribune Quintana, Abreu lead White Sox past Red Sox Daryl Van Schouwen, Chicago Sun-Times GM Hahn extremely impressed by White Sox performance Daryl Van Schouwen, Chicago Sun- Times White Sox release veteran John Danks Daryl Van Schouwen, Chicago Sun-Times Baseball by the numbers: Position shift puts Eaton in right spot John Grochowski, Chicago Sun- Times Vegas jumps on White Sox bandwagon Daryl Van Schouwen, Chicago Sun-Times Quintana, Chicago White Sox shut down Red Sox Scot Gregor, Daily Herald After 10 years, White Sox cut ties with Danks Scot Gregor, Daily Herald Danks move significant message for Chicago White Sox players Mike Imrem, Daily Herald Quintana, White Sox beat Red Sox 4-1 for 3rd straight win Jay Cohen, Associated Press White Sox to cut left-hander John Danks after 10 years Jay Cohen, Associated Press Levine: Jose Quintana mystifies Red Sox Bruce Levine, CBS Chicago White Sox designate John Danks for assignment Bruce Levine, CBS Chicago Levine: Release of John Danks not a surprise Bruce Levine, CBS Chicago John Danks long tenure with the White Sox comes to a premature end Dayn Perry, CBS Sports Danks for all your work, but it was time for the White Sox to say goodbye Sahadev Sharma, The Athletic Nasty change: Whtie Sox teammates will miss the real John Danks Sahadev Sharma, The Athletic Second city: Cubs still World Series favorite, but White Sox close Chris Kwik, Yahoo! Sports

2 Quintana quiets Red Sox as Abreu stays hot By Scott Merkin and Ian Browne / MLB.com May 3rd, 2016 CHICAGO -- Jose Quintana's scoreless-innings streak came to an end during the White Sox 4-1 victory over the Red Sox on Tuesday night at U.S. Cellular Field. But the southpaw still was impressive enough to pick up his fourth win against one loss by yielding the lone run over eight innings. "We've been talking about this kid for a while," White Sox manager Robin Ventura said. "Record-wise, everybody has looked at his no-decisions. He's just been outstanding. He shows a lot of heart, he has always had it, and this is a great lineup that he went through. He's up there with anybody in the league. To do that tonight, coming back home against pretty much the best offense in the American League right now. He continues to impress." Quintana extended his scoreless streak to 20 innings before Hanley Ramirez launched an opposite-field homer with one out in the fifth. Quintana otherwise held the Red Sox in check, allowing four hits and striking out five. Ten of Quintana's last 11 starts have been quality, and he did not give up a walk for the third time this season. "I feel really good from the first moment of the season, and I try to do my job and try to get wins," Quintana said. "Early in the season, you really want to be coming to the ballpark and see your teammates excited for getting wins. You try to put a little bit extra motivation and try to do everything." The White Sox scored one in the first off of knuckleballer Steven Wright, when Jose Abreu tripled home Jimmy Rollins. They added a second run in the third without getting a hit, taking advantage of three walks. Wright has made five starts this season and all have been quality, giving up two runs or fewer every time out. "He's done everything we could've asked to get deep into games and low-run situations," Red Sox manager John Farrell said. "And not just this year, this goes back to when he was in the rotation last year. He's doing an outstanding job. Honestly, as consistent as he's been, he's been a stabilizer in our rotation. He's doing everything in his control to maintain a spot in that rotation." Tuesday's start to a six-game homestand marked the third straight win for the White Sox and raised their record to 19-8 and their AL Central lead to four games. It's their biggest division lead since June 19, 2008, also a four-game lead. "We feel good. It's fun to win," said White Sox closer David Robertson, who picked up his ninth save in 10 chances. "We're having a good time with it, and hopefully it continues." MOMENTS THAT MATTERED De-Fense! Quintana was perfect through three innings Tuesday, partially because the defense was equally as impervious. Austin Jackson took away extra bases from David Ortiz leading off the second with a leaping catch at the center-field wall. Abreu made a slick play on Ramirez's grounder and beat him to the bag in the ensuing at-bat, and Adam Eaton ended the third with a leaping catch against Jackie Bradley Jr. "It's really good, when you take good outs when the defense makes good plays," said Quintana, who threw 101 pitches over a season-high eight innings. "I think next time, I'll try to make a better quality pitch, because that won't happen every time. But that's good... really good defense." Hanley ends homer drought: It was a good sign for the Red Sox when Ramirez clubbed snapped a homerless drought of 93 at-bats dating back to April 6. Both of Ramirez's home runs this season have been to right. The club isn't necessarily looking for Ramirez to be a power hitter. They did, after all,

3 instruct him to regain athleticism this season. But if he can go deep on occasion, it forces teams to be more careful with Ortiz. "He's had some really good swings [lately]," Farrell said of Ramirez. "He's started to hit the ball with more consistent authority, much like we would anticipate with Hanley. He looks pretty comfortable, seeing the ball well at the plate right now." Abreu stays hot: Abreu's stretch of multihit efforts extended to five straight, courtesy of a two-run double in the eighth. He extended his hitting streak to seven straight with a run-scoring triple in the first. Abreu has 10 RBIs in his last 10 games. Smith strong in debut: Farrell didn't waste any time getting reliever Carson Smith into the mix. On the same day he was activated, Smith pitched a perfect seventh inning, getting two groundouts and a strikeout while throwing just nine pitches. The righty is coming off a flexor mass strain in his right elbow suffered on March 21. Smith could become a key member of the bullpen, enabling Farrell to give Junichi Tazawa, Koji Uehara and Craig Kimbrel more rest when needed. "I felt good," Smith said. "Went out there, got a quick out, which was nice, and after that settled in, and it felt good to be out there again." QUOTABLE "I'm very happy that he's with me, because the way he's pitching right now, he's probably one of the best in the league." -- Abreu, on Quintana "You can't just put your finger on one thing, it's good pitching, it's defense, it's timely hitting. It's everything you need, all the small things in a game that makes your games go good and make it easy to win ballgames." -- Robertson Jose Quintana's stellar outing and the 4-1 victory over the Red Sox NO LOVE FOR THE LONG BALL Quintana had not allowed a homer since Mike Moustakas hit one in the sixth inning last Sept. 30. He has allowed just 21 homers over his last 54 starts (347 2/3 innings). UNDER REVIEW In the bottom of the eighth, a wild pitch by Tazawa went all the way to the backstop, and Eaton was able to advance two bases, sliding into third ahead of the throw by Ryan Hanigan. Farrell challenged the call, but it was confirmed. Later in the inning, Farrell had better luck when there was a crew-chief review on what was originally ruled an infield hit by Melky Cabrera. The review showed that the throw from Travis Shaw was gloved by Ramirez before Cabrera's foot contacted the base, and the call was overturned. SOUND SMART WITH YOUR FRIENDS In a bit of an oddity, the Red Sox have faced just three lefty starters in the first 26 games of the season. They are 0-3. Chris Young, who was signed by the club to start against lefties, is having a hard time, in particular, getting into the rhythm of the season. The right-handed hitter went 0-for-3 against Quintana and is hitting.167 with one RBI. The Red Sox are 0-7 when Young starts. He will likely get another chance on Wednesday, when lefty Carlos Rodon goes for the White Sox. RUNS ARE GOOD The White Sox improved to 15-0 when scoring four or more runs. They are 15-2 when scoring first.

4 WHAT'S NEXT Red Sox: Right-hander Clay Buchholz hopes to recover from his shaky start to the season (0-3, 6.51 ERA) when the takes the ball for Wednesday's 8:10 p.m. ET game against the White Sox. At U.S. Cellular Field, Buchholz is 2-1 with a 3.38 ERA in four starts. White Sox: Rodon moves up to Wednesday night's start with John Danks now gone from the team, and Erik Johnson getting the call in Thursday's series finale. Rodon has 27 strikeouts over 27 innings this season and will make his first career start against the Red Sox. Abreu s bat sizzling after early fizzle Slugger hits triple, double for 3 RBIs to extend hot streak By Scott Merkin / MLB.com May 3rd, 2016 CHICAGO -- Jose Abreu exited an April 25 contest in Toronto with a.176 average after going hitless in three at-bats. Flash forward to Tuesday night at U.S. Cellular Field, and Abreu's average had jumped to.252 following a 4-1 White Sox victory over the Red Sox. That monumental climb resulted from five straight multi-hit efforts -- with a triple, double and three RBIs Tuesday -- not to mention six multi-hit performances over his seven-game hitting streak. He has 10 RBIs in his last 10 games. But even amid a first-month offensive funk, Abreu had a reason for not being too upset. "We had a very good month," Abreu said through interpreter and White Sox Spanish-language broadcaster Billy Russo. "Offensively probably wasn't my best month, but I was happy because of the team, and the team is what matters for me." "It's just his time," White Sox manager Robin Ventura said of Abreu. "Even in batting practice, it sounds better. A lot is made of the slow start, and it could be the cold, I don't know. But it sure looks better and it sounds better. You knew it was going to come." One key trait that separates elite hitters such as Abreu, aside from an immense amount of raw talent, is sticking with a set routine regardless of the results. Abreu certainly wasn't about to change things because of a frustratingly unproductive April. Instead, Abreu continued his study of opposing pitchers and found an individual flaw in the process. "I realized that I was swinging at too many pitches outside the strike zone," Abreu said. "Now, I have recognition of the strike zone and about the pitches where I have to swing. That's the thing I've been doing. That's the adjustment I've been doing in my at-bats." About two or three weeks into this lack of production, Abreu was asked about not making the solid contact to which White Sox fans had grown accustomed. The sound, as Ventura pointed out postgame Tuesday, wasn't there. Although Abreu didn't recall one of hundreds of conversations from the past month when reminded Tuesday, he smiled at the time as if he knew better days were ahead. And those days weren't exactly all that bad for Abreu while playing for a first-place team. "I'm just trying to be the best player that I can be every day," Abreu said. "This is a very tough sport, and I know that. I don't like to be comfortable because I know that probably the next game is going to be tough. That's why I work hard every day to try to perform the best I can." "That's a good sign for us," Ventura said. "Jose is starting to swing the bat."

5 Danks released, ending 10-year run with White Sox Veteran lefty had solid seasons from , but injuries led to struggles By Scott Merkin / MLB.com May 3rd, 2016 CHICAGO -- The decade-long run of John Danks with the White Sox came to an end on Tuesday, when the team released the veteran southpaw, as announced by general manager Rick Hahn prior to the game against Boston. Danks, who turned 31 in April, struggled through one of the worst months of his career by losing all four of his April starts and posting a 7.25 ERA. The veteran has long been considered a strong clubhouse influence and one of the more respected players on the roster, but with the team losing eight games in April and Danks starting four of them, the White Sox decided to make a change. "It's never easy to make a move like this when you have as much respect for the player involved as we all do for Johnny," Hahn said. "He's been a tremendous teammate for everyone in that locker room this year and throughout his entire White Sox career, and obviously an extremely hard worker." "Obviously, he wasn't doing too well, but if you walked into this clubhouse you could never tell," White Sox pitcher Carlos Rodon said. "Just a great influence on everyone in this clubhouse and a great clubhouse guy. Sad to see him leave." After being acquired from the Rangers in a trade on Dec. 23, 2006, Danks became one of the steadiest starters in the American League from , going with a 3.61 ERA during that time. His 2012 season was cut short due to arthroscopic surgery to repair a capsular tear and minor debridement of the rotator cuff and biceps in his left shoulder, and he basically came back as a different pitcher at a different level of effectiveness. Since that time, Danks has not produced an ERA below Yet, through the struggles, he never made excuses to the media, his teammates or the higher-ups in the organization. "Everyone's first thought was, 'Man, we love this guy. He's one of the best teammates you could possibly ask for,'" said ace Chris Sale, who now has the longest White Sox tenure on the current roster. "Not only that but what he's taught me, Rodon and countless other teammates. "He was here for a decade. That's a long time to be somewhere. He will leave a lasting impression on this place for obviously great reasons." This move becomes official on Thursday, when Erik Johnson arrives from Triple-A Charlotte to start for the White Sox. Rodon moves up one day to take the mound on Wednesday. There's no guarantee for Johnson past Thursday. The White Sox also will look at right-hander Miguel Gonzalez, who already made one start for the team in Toronto, and righty Jacob Turner and top prospect Carson Fulmer, although his potential promotion from Double-A Birmingham would be down the line. A team representative will be on-hand Friday for free agent Tim Lincecum's open workout. "We've got scouts everywhere," said a smiling Hahn, without confirming the Lincecum interest. Danks is still owed more than $11.9 million in the final season of a five-year, $65 million extension. He will be remembered for brilliance during the victory over the Twins in the Blackout Game that sent the White Sox to the postseason and his consistency of character over 10 years. "We're going to miss him," third baseman Todd Frazier said of Danks, who ranks sixth in club history among left-handed pitchers in starts and quality starts. "I'm especially going to miss him. He kind of taught

6 me a little bit about the Chicago Way, and he's just one of those guys who's going to be in the back of your mind a little bit every couple days, just thinking about how he's doing." Danks has a career record of with a 4.38 ERA in 247 games, all starts for the White Sox. White Sox soar out of tough first month Hahn thrilled by clubhouse energy in addition to W-L record By Scott Merkin / MLB.com May 3rd, 2016 CHICAGO -- The 18-8 White Sox record moving into the present homestand speaks as enough of a testament to the South Siders' impressive 2016 start. Factor in one scheduled off-day during the entire month of April for the White Sox, not to mention 19 games in 19 days prior to Monday's break, and their accomplishment stands out even more. "We had to play the AL West champs, the AL East champs, we had to go play at places that were traditionally very difficult for us to win, Toronto, Baltimore, Tampa, Oakland," White Sox general manager Rick Hahn said. "And these guys came through every day with a focus on winning, high energy, battling late in an at-bat and battling late in games and coming back. "I'm putting aside the won-loss record, which we're thrilled with. We're all extremely impressed with the players in that clubhouse. They picked each other up. There were a number of occasions where guys had aches and pains without many April off-days, and other guys filled in and got the job done. So, absolutely thrilled with the way the team has responded to what frankly was a very difficult stretch, and one that we will benefit for in the dog days when these off-days catch up in July and August." Chris Sale, who has started the season with a 6-0 record, points to the energy among this group as a major difference from the 2015 campaign. "Just energy. And the positivity," Sale said. "We come to the ballpark expecting to win every day. If we don't, we leave here expecting to win the next day. That's the biggest thing. "Winning isn't what happens, it's what needs to happen. Everyone in here has bought into collectively doing that and not individually going out there and winning games but winning it as a group and coming in ready to play every day." Alex Avila is getting closer to a Minor League rehab assignment, manager Robin Ventura indicated on Tuesday, to test the strained hamstring that put the catcher on the disabled list April 24. Avisail Garcia, who suffered a right mid-hamstring strain on the last play of Friday night's loss, was out of the lineup for a third straight game. But Ventura said Garcia was nearing a return. "Avi today is feeling better, but I would like to see him run around and do stuff here before we put him in a game," Ventura said. "For him to test it today and see how he's feeling, I mean if there's a chance for him to get in tonight, that's a possibility. But he would get worked on a lot before he gets in." White Sox season too magical to keep Danks Struggling lefty DFA d; he was responsible for half of club s losses By Phil Rogers / MLB.com May 3rd, 2016 CHICAGO -- Paul Konerko seldom let you know anything was bothering him, but there was a day during the 2012 season when it was impossible to miss how badly he was hurting. That was the day the White Sox put John Danks on the disabled list with shoulder issues. I asked Konerko if he thought Danks would be able to come back quickly. He said I was missing the point.

7 "I just want John to come back and be John,'' Konerko said. "I don't care how long it takes, even if he misses the rest of this year. I really want John to be John. That's all I care about.'' Konerko was no dummy. Almost four years later, the White Sox are cutting ties with Danks. He would go on to need shoulder surgery later in '12, after trying for two months to fix his injury through rest and rehab, and while he has made 88 starts post-surgery, he never has been his old self, not on the mound, anyway. Danks accumulated a 4.38 ERA, including a 7.25 mark this season, and Chicago had gone in his starts. That's why the White Sox announced on Tuesday he'll be designated for assignment as a procedural precursor to his release. It was a tough move for general manager Rick Hahn to take to chairman Jerry Reinsdorf to approve, as it will cost the team about $13 million. But it's a good move, the right one for all involved. Still, while it may have been inevitable, it wasn't expected this early, not on May 3. Hahn's decisiveness speaks loudly to the new realities of the American League landscape. The White Sox are 19-8 after winning the first game of their home series against the Red Sox, 4-1, on Tuesday, but they expect to need every victory they can get to reach the postseason in a league where Hahn says the competition is "no joke.'' Heading into Tuesday games, Baseball Prospectus projected that the surprising White Sox will lead the AL in wins with 88. That would be the lowest total to lead the league in a full season since 1945, when the Tigers finished first at "You can make a case that in our division the range of [records] at the end of the season could be from 78 at the bottom to 86, 87 at the top,'' Hahn told me last week. "It's going to be very hard for anybody to run away with it. If a team does pull away, it's going to be because they competed, focused for sixth months. So we have to keep the approach that we've had so far.'' Chicago was 0-4 in Danks' starts and 18-4 behind everyone else entering Tuesday's game against Boston. Hahn wouldn't have been able to live with himself if they lost the next two or three of Danks' starts and wound up missing the postseason by a win or two. They're poised to make this a magical summer on the South Side, and at some point, that will mean 2015 first-rounder Carson Fulmer, the ace of Vanderbilt's 2014 championship team, taking his turn in the rotation. The White Sox are very excited about having a rotation that includes Chris Sale, Jose Quintana, Carlos Rodon and Fulmer, with the 4-0 Mat Latos a pleasant surprise. Fulmer didn't get off to a great start at Double-A Birmingham, so you probably shouldn't look for him until mid-season. Chicago will use Danks' spot as something of a way station until then, but don't look for any major additions. That includes a reunion with Mark Buehrle, although this option would be so much fun it shouldn't be dismissed entirely. It's a long season, you know. Danks is a former first-round pick of the Rangers. The White Sox acquired him in a trade for Brandon McCarthy, and he showed his talent in a three-season run from , when he was with a 3.61 ERA. Danks was brilliant in the 2008 tiebreaker game against the Twins, which Jim Thome turned into a 1-0 victory with a solo homer in the seventh inning. His career started going downward in 2011, his age-26 season, but the White Sox ignored that regression to give him a five-year, $65-million deal at the same time they let Buehrle leave as a free agent without bidding to keep him.

8 Danks never really got a fair shot to live up to the expectations that came with that contract extension. He was pitching without his fastball, and that usually doesn't work, at least not for long. But there was never a time when Danks pitched without giving his best. In the end, that's the legacy he'll leave. Buccholz, Rodon square off in Sox-Sox series By Ian Browne / MLB.com May 3rd, 2016 One of the main priorities for the Red Sox is to get Clay Buchholz on track. That quest continues on Wednesday night, when the righty faces the first-place White Sox at U.S. Cellular Field. Buchholz (0-3, 6.51 ERA) has given up five earned runs in four of his starts. "There's the normal postgame review that you go through, the video review of some conversation on what was going on in the moment, ways we can be more assertive, trusting his stuff," Red Sox manager John Farrell said. "Not that he's got to pitch away from contact -- he's still got quality stuff." After designating John Danks for assignment, the White Sox will send left-hander Carlos Rodon to the mound on Wednesday -- a day earlier than originally planned. Rodon, in his second Major League season, can sense the enthusiasm in the clubhouse this year. "We all love coming here, and we get here early," Rodon said. "Chemistry has a lot to do with us winning. It's a good ballclub. Guys have a lot of energy, and we want to play every day. We want to play hard and this team plays hard, score runs, play defense and it all comes together." Things to know about this game Rodon will be just the fourth lefty starter the Red Sox will face this season but the second in as many nights. That means Boston will likely give outfielder Chris Young another start. Young played left field in place of Brock Holt in the series opener Tuesday, a 4-1 White Sox victory. There's a chance Young could give Jackie Bradley Jr. his first night off of the season in center. White Sox second baseman Brett Lawrie is 3-for-28 lifetime against Buchholz. Young is the only member of the Red Sox who has faced Rodon, going 2-for-5. After a slow start, first baseman Jose Abreu has heated up for the White Sox, hitting in seven straight games. The slugger clubbed a triple in his first at-bat Tuesday. Jose Quintana giving White Sox another ace to play as early season success rolls on By JJ Stankevitz / CSN Chicago May 3rd, 2016 The White Sox newfound brand of crisp, clean baseball is suiting Jose Quintana awfully well. The 27-year-old left-hander pitched another gem Tuesday night, firing eight innings of one-run ball to propel the White Sox to a 4-1 win over the Boston Red Sox in front of 15,025 at U.S. Cellular Field. Anchored by improved offensive and defensive support, Quintana lowered his season ERA to But more jarring in a positive way is that in earning the win on Tuesday, Quintana for the first time in his career won three consecutive starts. It s way better this year, Quintana said. The offense is, for me and for everybody, everybody tries to do his job. We re off to a really good start and we believe this year is a good year for us, and we ll try to do everything to stay in first place.

9 Quintana s posted consistently solid results since the White Sox plucked him from Double-A Birmingham to start in a doubleheader against the Cleveland Indians four years ago. His decidedly-not-flashy-buteffective pitching style didn t make headlines like his prolific teammate Chris Sale, but a 3.46 ERA and an unfairly poor win-loss record landed him on plenty of lists and social media takes focused on the most underrated or overlooked players in baseball. That s changed this year. Before his stellar start Tuesday, Quintana was given 8/1 odds by the sports betting website Bovada to win the American League Cy Young, the third-best of anyone (Sale led the way at 6/5). It s still early, of course, but these six starts to begin the 2016 season stand is one of the best stretches he s had in his career. Manager Robin Ventura attributed Quintana s ace-like success in part to pitching with a little less pressure than in the past. There is something to be said for going out there thinking if you give up one you re going to lose, Ventura said. It s been a few years for him. Right now (with) the feeling going on in there, he knows if he just pitches his game those guys are going to scratch out some runs for him. The White Sox continue to show signs of ending a head-scratching inability to support Quintana. Jose Abreu s first-inning RBI triple got the White Sox scoring started and his double in the eighth added two insurance runs (a Todd Frazier groundout in the third inning plated the White Sox other run). For the fifth time in six starts this season, Quintana was supported by four or more runs, and Adam Eaton and Austin Jackson made sparkling defensive plays to keep hard-hit balls from inflicting any damage. Having the offense score four or more runs in 83 percent of Quintana s starts seems unlikely if he makes 32 starts this year, that d mean he d get that support in about 27 of those but it is an improvement off the last few seasons. The White Sox scored three or fewer runs in 54 percent of Quintana s starts from , a span in which it s worth noting the club also was rated as having the third-worst defense in baseball by DRS and UZR. There s more of a confidence level of him knowing he doesn t have to do an extraordinary thing and he might do it, like tonight, Ventura said. But he doesn t feel like he has to do it on his own. Quintana isn t throwing harder this year and hasn t added a new pitch or anything like that. But Ventura s theory on why the Colombia native is pitching better makes sense perhaps the next step in Quintana s career was getting a good, reliable team playing behind him. He s probably one of the best right now in the league, first baseman Jose Abreu said through a translator. That s not hyperbole. Quintana has a top-10 ERA that s backed up by a 2.12 FIP, which is a good indicator that his early-season success isn t necessarily a small sample size-generated mirage. Quintana is a shining example of how so much has gone right for the White Sox this season even on the day in which the team announced it would eat over $11 million to cut ties with veteran left-hander John Danks. Not only is he pitching better, but everyone around him is playing better. And the combination of that, so far, has taken Quintana and the White Sox to another level. Everything changed, Quintana said. Everything is going in a good direction this year. We believe in that.

10 White Sox designate John Danks for assignment By Dan Hayes / CSN Chicago May 3rd, 2016 Any questions or doubts one might have about the White Sox and their plans to compete this season should be long gone now. The first-place White Sox made their intentions for 2016 crystal clear Tuesday as they announced plans to cut ties later this week with starting pitcher John Danks. The longest-tenured player in the organization, Danks, 31, will officially be designated for assignment on Thursday. In the interim, right-hander Erik Johnson will start Thursday in place of Danks, who was 0-4 with a 7.25 ERA in four starts, general manager Rick Hahn said. But nothing is set in stone beyond that as to how the White Sox will handle the fifth spot in the rotation. (Danks) was an important part of some very good White Sox teams, Hahn said. This is about putting us in the best position to win ballgames going forward. We feel we have a pretty special thing going on in this clubhouse right now. We have the opportunity to build off some of the momentum we already have created for ourselves, and we wanted to put ourselves in the best position to win games going forward. The White Sox -- who will eat roughly $11.75 million of the veteran s $14.25 million salary with the move - - have been in a dicey spot with Danks. With an American League-best 18 wins, the club is playing its best baseball in four seasons despite the ongoing struggles of Danks, a very popular figure in a clubhouse only seven weeks removed from the Adam LaRoche ordeal. Hahn said the front office heavily considered how the transaction would play in the clubhouse if they decided to move on from Danks, who was acquired in a December 2006 trade that sent Brandon McCarthy to the Texas Rangers. While players are sad to see their friend go, several talked about not being surprised. It doesn t matter if he has six days, six years or 10 years, starting pitcher Chris Sale said. You never want to see it happen, especially a guy like him. He was a big part of the chemistry we had going on in here. He was a personality. He was a character. But we need to keep moving. This game stops for nobody. It s the greatest job in the world. I ll be the first to tell you. But it can be cutthroat at well. Sale has been in constant contact with Danks, who learned of the team s plans several days ago. The four-time All-Star said he convinced Danks to stop by the White Sox clubhouse early Tuesday to see his teammates one last time. Saying goodbye to him was tough for all of us, but like I said it's part of the game, outfielder Adam Eaton said. It's sad to see him go. Danks was an integral piece on the 2008 AL Central champions, pitching the White Sox into the postseason with eight scoreless innings in the Sept. 30 Blackout Game in which they topped the Minnesota Twins, 1-0. From , Danks went with a 3.61 ERA in 97 starts and looked as if he d develop into a frontof-the rotation starter. Danks performance led to him receiving a five-year, $65-million extension from the club in December But his shoulder started to bother him in 2012 and by August Danks required shoulder surgery, from which his performance never fully recovered. He went with a 4.84 ERA in 88 starts since he returned in 2013.

11 Danks struggles weren t for a lack of effort, however. He and the White Sox worked tirelessly to reinvent the pitcher and this spring they were cautiously optimistic his fastball command and consistency had improved. As far as work ethic and just guts, he had all of that, manager Robin Ventura said. That was never a question. He s always been able to do that and there s a lot of respect for him in the clubhouse for all the things that he did and one of them s coming back from an injury and trying to gut through it. But the results didn t match the effort. Because he gave them so many innings -- he averaged 185 2/3 frames the past two seasons -- the White Sox were open to running Danks out to pitch as long as he stayed competitive. But the team went in Danks starts since 2013, losing all four of this season. Whereas they went in Danks starts last season, they were only competitive in his April 21 start this season, a 3-2 loss to the Los Angeles Angels. Those poor results led to Tuesday s decision, one that demonstrates the White Sox willingness to improve even at a great cost. Hahn said the White Sox never really considered a long man role in the bullpen and Danks didn t want to go to the minor leagues, which left the club in a difficult position. Ultimately, Hahn acted in a way he feels best suits the club s current needs. We weren t getting the production we needed out of that spot, Hahn said. Given the fact that we feel like this could well be a very special summer around here, there certainly was heightened scrutiny to all the areas where we weren t performing. But that fifth spot was one where we felt it was imperative we made a move. White Sox react to John Danks departure By Paul Roumeliotis / CSN Chicago May 3rd, 2016 John Danks has called Chicago his home since But after nearly 10 years on the South Side, the White Sox have decided to part ways with their longest tenured player. Danks will be designated for assignment later this week, the team announced Tuesday, ending his time with the White Sox. It s always tough, manager Robin Ventura said. You don t really know what s out there, but at this point, we re going in a different direction. Entering Tuesday, the White Sox held the best record in the American League at Danks started in four of those contests, but all resulted in losses in which he had an ERA of That was enough for the White Sox to make a change. It s just one of those things how we re doing so well and he didn t get a win. That s just the way it goes sometimes, Todd Frazier said. I m sure he could ve came around in his next start or maybe the next one after that. But he s a bulldog. He s a guy that wants to contribute and he has. He s done it for years and just cause he hasn t gotten a win in the first three or four starts that he s had doesn t signify what he s done in the past. The success Danks had in the past convinced the White Sox to sign him to a five-year, $65 million contract extension prior to the 2012 season.

12 Danks struggled to find consistency with his game from , going with a 4.92 ERA in 97 starts. His results ultimately proved that he didn t live up to his contract. But off the field, the impact he had on his teammates is something you can t put a price on. Everybody loves him, he s a great teammate, he s a great pitcher, catcher Dioner Navarro said. Just going through a tough stretch right now. Part of life, I guess it s part of him going home, reflecting on things and seeing what he wants to do. When Frazier arrived to Chicago during the offseason after being acquired by the Cincinnati Reds, Danks was one of the guys who helped him get acclimated to the Windy City. We became real close quick, Frazier said. Great guy. We re about the same age. He came up a lot earlier than me. I know he s had some really good years. Just one of those guys you really look up to. We re gonna miss him. I m especially gonna miss him. He kind of taught me a little bit about the Chicago Way. He s just one of those guys who s going to be in the back of your mind a little bit every couple days just thinking about how he s doing. In addition, Danks used his experience to mentor young players like 23-year-old starter Carlos Rodon. The two would often hang out most of the time during games, and sometimes away from the diamond. It was huge, Rodon said of Danks presence. A veteran like that, you'd figure a young guy coming here, kind of would ignore him or wouldn't really be around for him. He was different, a different guy. He took me under his wing and taught me a lot of stuff about this game. For the White Sox, the clubhouse will be a bit unusual not having that familiar face that s been around for so many years. But as the White Sox learned earlier this season, adapting to change is something that comes with the game. The game will go on, but our thoughts and prayers go out to him, his wife and his future family, Adam Eaton said. Saying goodbye to him was tough for all of us, but like I said it's part of the game. It's sad to see him go. White Sox: For John Danks, shoulder surgery was a mixed bag By JJ Stankevitz / CSN Chicago May 3rd, 2016 The success rate for baseball players returning from shoulder surgery is awfully low, no matter what your definition of success is. Some never make it back to the major leagues. Others do, but for abbreviated stints before they re forced out of the game. Some, like John Danks, return, but aren t as effective as they were before going under the knife. Last year, FiveThirtyEight.com ran the numbers and found that only 67 percent of players who underwent a shoulder procedure returned to the major leagues (the rate for Tommy John surgery is 80 percent). For those pitchers who did return, they averaged 134 fewer innings per season than they did pre-surgery. With that in mind, Danks is somewhat of an outlier. From his return to the mound in 2013 until being designated for assignment by the White Sox this week, Danks threw 532 innings in 88 starts, and actually

13 threw more innings in 2014 and 2015 than he did in 2011, his last full year in the majors before his August 2012 surgery. The mere fact he got back on that mound and contributed to us over the last couple of years is a testament to his makeup, his strength and his character, general manager Rick Hahn said. But no matter how hard Danks worked, and no matter how many adjustments he implemented, the results never returned to their pre-surgery levels. From , Danks looked like one of baseball s more promising up-and-coming starters, posting a 3.77 ERA over 778 2/3 innings. It s why the White Sox rewarded him with a five-year, $65 million extension in December of In those 532 innings since his surgery, though, Danks had a 4.84 ERA and allowed more home runs (88) than he did from (80). He never pointed fingers, he never blamed anyone other than himself, ace left-hander Chris Sale said. He was a man about it, he was a professional about it. A lot of people get stuck on the stats and the stuff. Some people don t come back from the surgery he had. Not only did he come back from it, but he pitched with it at the highest level of baseball you can possibly be at. Danks average fastball velocity dropped from 91.6 mph in 2011 to the upper 80 s from , then plummeted to 87.1 mph in his four starts this season. That s the most direct effect of Danks Aug. 6, 2012 surgery to repair a capsular tear and minor debridements of the rotator cuff and biceps in his left shoulder. Consider this: In Game 163 against the Minnesota Twins in 2008 arguably the highlight of Danks career the fastest pitch he threw was 95.5 mph, according to BrooksBaseball.net. In his final start with the White Sox April 28 against the Baltimore Orioles, the hardest fastball he threw was 90.5 mph. There s no doubt in my mind that after the shoulder surgery, he was a different guy, Hahn said, and that s certainly zero fault of John Danks. He did everything in his power to fight back. And really, given the extent of the surgery, I sincerely mean it is impressive how much he was able to contribute after the surgery. The fact that he even got back to the big-league level and the fact that he was able from time to time to put us in position to win ballgames, that s a huge testament to his work ethic and his competitive spirit. There s zero doubt in my mind the shoulder surgery changed who he was as a pitcher. Danks was able to push through over three years with the White Sox post-surgery, but he never could figure out how to reverse those consistently sub-optimal results. But as everyone within the White Sox organization will remind you, it wasn t for a lack of effort. As far as work ethic and just guts, he had all of that, manager Robin Ventura said. That was never a question. He s always been able to do that and there s a lot of respect for him in the clubhouse for all the things that he did and one of them s coming back from an injury and trying to gut through it. Rick Hahn: Filling fifth spot in White Sox rotation a fluid situation By Dan Hayes / CSN Chicago May 3rd, 2016 Erik Johnson gets the first chance at the No. 5 spot in the White Sox rotation, but the situation is hardly finalized. The White Sox announced Tuesday that they would promote Johnson from Triple-A Charlotte in time to make Thursday s start in place of John Danks, whom they will officially designated for assignment later

14 this week. But just because Johnson gets the first start doesn t mean he s here for good, general manager Rick Hahn said. Hahn and the White Sox have made it clear they want better production from the fifth spot, whether it's from an internal or an external option. It s going to be a bit of a fluid situation, Hahn said. Hahn is comfortable with the team s internal options at Charlotte beyond Johnson. Miguel Gonzalez, who started last Monday in Toronto, has a solid major league track record. Then there s Jacob Turner, who has 27 strikeouts in 26 2/3 innings with a 3.04 ERA in five starts. But Hahn also said the White Sox wouldn t shy away from looking outside the farm system, either. Hahn declined to answer whether or not the White Sox would watch Tim Lincecum s tryout Friday in Scottsdale, Ariz. before he noted the club has scouts everywhere. The White Sox could also try and use their internal options to get by for several months before adding another pitcher ahead of the trade deadline. No matter whom they turn to, the expectation is better results than the White Sox received from Danks, who was 0-4 with a 7.25 ER in four starts. Obviously, Erik starts on Thursday, Hahn said. After that, we may well make another move next week as we try to accomplish two things with that spot -- first and foremost, get greater production than we ve been receiving thus far this year. We do have a few internal options. If it does get to the point where we re better off going outside the organization, obviously we ve never been shy about doing that. Tuesday s recap: White Sox 4, Red Sox 1 By Colleen Kane / Chicago Tribune May 3rd, 2016 Jose Quintana held the Red Sox to one run over eight innings, and Jose Abreu drove in three runs to lead the White Sox to a 4-1 victory over the Red Sox on Tuesday night at U.S. Cellular Field. Quintana s longest start of the year helped the White Sox improve to an American League-best At the plate Abreu s double to the center-field wall in the first inning drove in Jimmy Rollins, and he added a two-run double to left field in the eighth. The White Sox loaded the bases on three walks one an intentional walk of Abreu in the third inning and scored on Todd Frazier s groundout. On the mound Quintana gave up his first home run this season in the fifth inning. Hanley Ramirez s solo shot to right field cut the White Sox lead to 2-1. Quintana pitched three perfect innings to start the game, the opener of a six-game homestand against the Red Sox and Twins. He gave up his first hit in the fourth, a one-out single to Dustin Pedroia. But the White Sox followed with a double play. In the field

15 White Sox outfielders Austin Jackson and Adam Eaton each robbed the Red Sox of extra-base hits with their plays in the first three innings. The quote I m probably most impressed with how it s been a different guy doing something to contribute almost on a daily basis. This early schedule has truly been a bear, and the American League is no joke. There s no letting up with anybody. The fact that these guys got through this extremely difficult stretch of this schedule, maintaining their focus and energy and keeping that competitive edge is extremely impressive to me. White Sox general manager Rick Hahn Up next Vs. Red Sox, 7:10 p.m. Wednesday. RH Clay Buchholz vs. LH Carlos Rodon. Jose Quintana s arm and Jose Abreu s bat plenty in 4-1 White Sox victory By Colleen Kane / Chicago Tribune May 3rd, 2016 The White Sox shot to the best record in the American League with their best hitter in a slump for much of the first month of the season. So this should make opposing teams pretty uncomfortable Jose Abreu is heating up. Abreu drove in three runs and Jose Quintana limited the Red Sox to one run in eight innings as the White Sox topped the Red Sox 4-1 on Tuesday night at U.S. Cellular Field. The Sox won their third straight and improved to "It's just his time," Sox manager Robin Ventura said. "Even in BP it sounds better. A lot is made of the slow start, and it could be the cold, I don't know. But it sure looks better and it sounds better." Abreu, who had an RBI triple and a two-run double in his fifth straight multi-hit game, said he has been studying film of his hitting to figure out what he was doing wrong. He has gone 13-for-29 with eight RBIs in the last seven games to lift his batting average to.252. "I realized I was swinging at too many pitches outside the strike zone," Abreu said through a team interpreter. "Now, I have a very good recognition of the strike zone and about the pitches when I have to swing." Abreu called Quintana "one of the best right now in the league" after he improved to 4-1 while pitching a season high eight innings. Quintana gave up four hits, walked none and struck out five, surrendering the only run on Hanley Ramirez's homer to right field in the fifth, the first homer he has allowed this year. He threw 101 pitches before Ventura went to closer David Robertson in the ninth to protect a three-run lead. Outfielders Austin Jackson and Adam Eaton each robbed the Red Sox of extra-base hits with catches in the first three innings. "He knows if he just pitches his game those guys are going to scratch out some runs for him," Ventura said. "There's more of a confidence level for him knowing he doesn't have to do an extraordinary thing. He might do it like tonight, but he doesn't feel he has to do it on his own." Extra innings: Designated hitter Avisail Garcia missed his third straight game Tuesday as he recovers from a mid-right hamstring strain. Ventura said Garcia is doing better and planned to test his leg with

16 running. The White Sox announced Monday they had sold 100,000 tickets the previous week after the team's hot start. The crowd was announced at 15,025 Tuesday with a boost from a vocal group of Red Sox fans. With focus on a special summer, White Sox part with veteran John Danks By Colleen Kane / Chicago Tribune May 3rd, 2016 General manager Rick Hahn believes the White Sox could be in for a "special summer" after their quick start to the season, and so the club cut loose one piece they didn't think was contributing to that goal. The Sox announced Tuesday they plan to designate for assignment left-hander John Danks on Thursday, ending a 10-year tenure with the Sox that didn't live up to expectations after his shoulder surgery in August of Hahn said Danks does not want to pitch in the Sox minor-league system, and the club doesn't think either party would benefit from his move to the bullpen, so Danks will leave the franchise with a career record, a 4.38 ERA and the $14.25 million owed to him for the final year of his five-year, $65 million contract. Danks went 0-4 with a 7.25 ERA over his four starts this year, giving up six runs in five innings in his last outing Thursday night against the Orioles. "The decision is basically about how John was performing," Hahn said. "Given the fact that we feel like this could well be a very special summer around here, there certainly was heightened scrutiny to all the areas where we weren't performing. But that fifth spot was one where we felt it was imperative we make a move." Danks was scheduled to pitch Wednesday, but Carlos Rodon will make that start. Right-hander Erik Johnson will be called up from Triple-A Charlotte on Thursday to pitch against the Red Sox and Hahn said filling the fifth-starter opening will be a "fluid situation" after that. Sox minor-leaguers Miguel Gonzalez and Jacob Turner also could be in line for starts. Carson Fulmer, pitching in Double A, might be an option further down the road, though the Sox don't have a timetable for their top pitching prospect yet. The Sox also could look to the outside and will be at free agent Tim Lincecum's showcase in Arizona on Friday. "You look at what's going on with our team and a guy like (Danks) wants to be part of that, and you know that," Sox manager Robin Ventura said. "That's the part that's disappointing. I know that hurts him, the kind of competitor that he is." The Rangers drafted Danks ninth overall in the 2003 baseball draft and he joined the Sox via trade in 2006 and made his big-league debut in He had a career-best 3.32 ERA in 2008 and earned the victory in one of the most well-known games in Sox history that year, a Game 163 victory over the Twins now known as "The Blackout Game." His five-year deal became one of the bigger busts in recent Sox history because he needed shoulder surgery less than eight months after he signed the agreement. Danks wasn't the same pitcher afterward and hasn't posted better than a 4.71 ERA in any season since. "There's no doubt in my mind that after the shoulder surgery, he was a different guy," Hahn said. "And that's certainly zero fault of John Danks. He did everything in his power to fight back." Danks took responsibility Thursday night for the end of the Sox's six-game winning streak in Baltimore.