WHITE SOX HEADLINES OF JULY 29, 2016 Offense lacking for White Sox in ace s return Carrie Muskat and Scott Merkin, MLB.com Sale rejoins team with

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1 WHITE SOX HEADLINES OF JULY 29, 2016 Offense lacking for White Sox in ace s return Carrie Muskat and Scott Merkin, MLB.com Sale rejoins team with tough-luck loss Scott Merkin, MLB.com Ventura keeps focus on field, off trade winds Scott Merkin, MLB.com Fulmer atop White Sox prospects list Scott Merkin, MLB.com The 5 toughest buy or sell dilemmas Richard Justice, MLB.com A relentless Anthony Rizzo teased Dioner Navarro as only an ex-teammate could Adrian Garro, Cut4 MLB.com Back with White Sox, Chris Sale ready to move on from fiasco Dan Hayes, CSN Chicago Robin Ventura isn t convinced White Sox will sell at deadline Dan Hayes, CSN Chicago Chris Sale good in return but White Sox lose to Cubs Dan Hayes, CSN Chicago White Sox find normalcy in Chris Sale s return from suspension JJ Stankevitz, CSN Chicago Back at Wrigley Field, Rick Renteria not concerned about managing again JJ Stankevitz, CSN Chicago Chance the Rapper throws shade toward the Cubs Staff, CSN Chicago White Sox ace Chris Sale sorry for drawing suspension Colleen Kane, Chicago Tribune Upon return to Wrigley Field, Rick Renteria concentrates on job at hand Colleen Kane, Chicago Tribune Thursday s recap: Cubs 3, White Sox 1 Paul Skrbina, Chicago Tribune Cubs top White Sox to earn split decision in City Series Chris Kuc, Chicago Tribune Wearing it well: Jersey flap past, Chris Sale shows he shouldn t be dealt David Haugh, Chicago Tribune Can the Chris Sale-Robin Ventura marriage be saved? Steve Rosenbloom, Chicago Tribune Renteria keeps emotion out of it at Wrigley Daryl Van Schouwen, Chicago Sun-Times Chris Sale wants to stay with teammates, move past fiasco Daryl Van Schouwen, Chicago Sun- Times Sale starts for Sox, but Chapman finishes as Cubs split series Gordon Wittenmyer, Chicago Sun- Times White Sox welcome back Sale but can t help him get the victory Dan McGrath, Chicago Sun-Times Ventura doesn t expect White Sox to sell as trade deadline approaches Scot Gregor, Daily Herald Sox ace Sale returns to mound, tries to move past controversial suspension Scot Gregor, Daily Herald Rozner: Why would Reinsdorf still want White Sox? Barry Rozner, Daily Herald Levine: Chris Sale hopes to use fabric attack fiasco to contribute to a charitable cause Bruce Levine, CBS Chicago Levine: Chris Sale admits some regret but doesn t back down from his beliefs Bruce Levine, CBS Chicago Suspension over, Chris Sale makes his grand return to White Sox Sahadev Sharma, The Athletic Crosstown social: Which Cubs, Sox players are most active on Twitter? Lauren Comitor, The Athletic Chris Sale returns, but White Sox s drama may just be beginning Bob Nightengale, USA Today Chris Sale: Nice to get out there, pitch after suspension Bradford Doolittle, ESPN Sale loses in return from ban, wants to stay in Chicago Associated Press

2 Offense lacking for White Sox in ace s return Lackey bests Sale as crosstown series ends in split By Carrie Muskat and Scott Merkin / MLB.com July 28th, 2016 CHICAGO -- Aroldis Chapman got the final four outs for his first save with the Cubs, and John Lackey outdueled Chris Sale on Thursday night to end the intracity series in a split decision, with each team able to brag that they defended home turf. Lackey picked up the win, his first since June 8, as the Cubs edged the White Sox, 3-1, at Wrigley Field to close the Interleague series against their crosstown rivals and spoil Sale's bid for his Major Leagueleading 15th win. There were no wardrobe malfunctions regarding Sale. The lefty was scheduled to go Saturday but was scratched after he destroyed the 1976 throwback uniforms to be worn that night. Sale, making his first start since July 18, scattered six hits and walked three over six innings, and he also singled in the sixth. "I think Lackey was just better tonight," White Sox manager Robin Ventura said. "After the first inning, we really couldn't get anything going." Each team scored in the first, and Ben Zobrist hit a tiebreaking RBI single with one out in the third. The Cubs, who boast the best home record in the National League at 32-16, have won six of eight games at Wrigley Field since the All-Star break. Chapman entered with a runner on third and two outs in the eighth, and struck out Melky Cabrera on six pitches, with four registering 100 mph or higher. The other two were 99 mph. "It's exciting," Anthony Rizzo said of Chapman's outings. "When he's pitching, you stay to see what he does because he's that type of player. What he does for our bullpen, it's incredible to add a guy like that." MOMENTS THAT MATTERED Bryant vs. Sale: Prior to Thursday, Kris Bryant was 0-for-6 against Sale, striking out all six times, but in the All-Star Game, the Cubs third baseman hit a home run on the first pitch he saw from the lefty. On Thursday, Sale walked Dexter Fowler, who then scored on Bryant's double to center to tie the score at 1. Fowler also scored on Zobrist's single in the third. "The first couple was knocking the rust off a little bit, but I felt good," Sale said. "[Dioner Navarro] really did a great job of getting me through that. I don't think I had my best of the best out there tonight. He really, he got me through this one and I owe him a lot of credit." He can hit, too: Sale is known more for his prodigious strikeout totals and his low WHIP as opposed to prowess with the bat. But Sale opened the sixth with a single to center on a ground ball up the middle that hit the base. Sale got as far as second, but Lackey retired Jose Abreu on a popup to Anthony Rizzo to end the rally. Sale has two hits in his career, both singles. "I thought he pitched a good game," Ventura said. "He had a walk and a hit by pitch that ends up costing us but he pitched a good game and I thought he swung it well, too. He took some hacks." Melky makes contact: Cabrera doubled home Tim Anderson in the first inning for the first run of the game. Cabrera added a single in the sixth, standing as the lone White Sox starter with a multihit effort. Navarro reached base twice with two walks. Penmanship: The addition of Chapman has changed how Cubs manager Joe Maddon will use his bullpen. Lackey was lifted after throwing 84 pitches over six innings, and most likely could've gone longer. Maddon then turned to Pedro Strop and former closer Hector Rondon before Chapman entered in the eighth with a runner on and two outs. It was Chapman's first four-out save this season.

3 "He's your guy, and if you let that save moment get away -- if [Rondon] gives up that run and you go into the next inning tied, it's a different moment for [Chapman]," Maddon said. "You want to give him the opportunity to convert the save." QUOTABLE "I think everyone is making just a little bit bigger deal of this than it really is. We are here to win games and from this point forward, I think that's our main focus. We are going to come in every day and do our jobs and try to win ballgames, that's at the forefront." -- Sale, on his return from suspension "We'll keep scratching and clawing and trying to get it going again, but they're a tough team to go against. They've got a lot of power." -- Ventura SOUND SMART WITH YOUR FRIENDS With each team winning two games at home, the White Sox lead the crosstown Interleague series, WHAT'S NEXT White Sox: Jose Quintana sits two wins away from reaching double digits for the first time in his career and takes the mound Friday night at Target Field. The left-hander has a 3-0 record with a 2.10 ERA in July and is 2-1 with a 2.70 ERA over three starts against the Twins this season. Cubs: Jon Lester will open the Cubs' Interleague series against the Mariners on Friday at Wrigley Field. Lester is 5-4 with a 3.52 ERA in 12 career starts against Seattle. In his last four starts this season, Lester is 1-1 with a ERA, giving up 18 earned runs over 16 innings. First pitch is scheduled for 1:20 p.m. CT. Sale rejoins team with tough-luck loss Ace lefty tosses 6 solid innings in return from suspension By Scott Merkin / MLB.com July 28th, 2016 CHICAGO -- Chris Sale was a pitcher, make that a pretty good pitcher, Thursday night during a 3-1 loss to the Cubs at Wrigley Field. If the five-time All-Star has his way, the mound is where the focus will remain for the remainder of the 2016 season. Sale returned from a five-game suspension to pitch the finale of the Crosstown Cup series, a suspension given Saturday for violating team rules, insubordination and destroying team equipment. That equipment, of course, was the 1976 throwback jerseys that he felt impeded performance. But after losing for the fourth time against 14 victories, Sale looked more toward the future than past transgressions. "It is what it is. I know that's very cliche to say, but you move on," said Sale, sitting in the visitors' dugout and surrounded by media following his first outing since July 18. "You move forward, and the main focus from this point forward is winning ballgames. "This is what I signed up to do, play baseball. It felt incredible. It was nice to get back out there and pitch again." The White Sox staked Sale to a 1-0 lead on Melky Cabrera's run-scoring double in the first, but Sale gave that back in the bottom half of the inning on a walk to Dexter Fowler and Kris Bryant's double. Sale admitted to knocking the rust off early and credited catcher Dioner Navarro for getting him through the evening.

4 Stuff-wise, one of the game's best pitchers has been better. Sale was still good enough to yield two runs on six hits over six innings, striking out four and walking three. "He definitely pitched well enough to win a game," White Sox manager Robin Ventura said. "I thought he was there," Navarro said. "He was painting, throwing the ball to the corners. Probably wasn't throwing as hard as he normally does. He gave us a great outing. We just weren't able to score any runs for him." When Sale arrived at Wrigley with a number of his teammates around 4:45 p.m., it looked like business as usual. Cabrera embraced him in a bear hug and Sale went around patting teammates on the back and talking to them as if he was never gone. Nonetheless, Sale had been gone. He left the bullpen to cover for him on Saturday, something the intense competitor doesn't approve of doing even when he does make the start. Any sort of message to teammates, Ventura or the coaching staff will wait until this weekend for a series in Minnesota. Sale wanted to keep Thursday as close to a normal start day as possible. Though Sale didn't address the specifics of Saturday's incident, he reiterated a point made to MLB.com Monday concerning staying and winning with the White Sox. "I'm a pitcher," Sale said. "I'm called upon every fifth day, and when I can't go out there for my guys and the fans, it gets to me. I felt like I was out on an island, really. Seven o'clock rolls around and I usually know what's going on. Sitting at the house [stinks]." Ventura keeps focus on field, off trade winds White Sox have flexibility to stand pat as Deadline nears By Scott Merkin / MLB.com July 28th, 2016 CHICAGO -- Robin Ventura doesn't want to see anyone from this White Sox team depart before the nonwaiver Trade Deadline on Monday. And to be honest, the White Sox manager doesn't think anything is going to happen. "We'll go from there," Ventura said during his pregame media session Thursday at Wrigley Field. "You have to put it out of your mind to the best of your ability and play, focus on today. There's nothing you can do about it. "Everybody's been part of it, and we have some guys that I think people want. This week probably led to some more phone calls, of people calling just to see what's going on with us. Our guys should look at it as a nice thing that people are calling and asking about you because that means people want you." There are a number of White Sox players drawing interest, even with the group as a whole hovering around.500. Left-hander Chris Sale, who returned to the mound Thursday night following a five-game suspension, and his left-handed rotation mate Jose Quintana would bring the greatest talent package back in return, but the White Sox certainly aren't looking to trade the aces of their staff unless their exact demands are met. Veterans, such as closer David Robertson, left-handed reliever Zach Duke, third baseman Todd Frazier, starters Miguel Gonzalez and James Shields and outfielder Adam Eaton have been asked about by contenders. But the White Sox have nobody with a contract running out into free agency and aren't forced to begin a rebuild at this moment. They simply need to try to go on a run akin to the seven straight wins they put together approaching the Deadline in 2015.

5 "I hope we do it again," Ventura said. "The decision isn't mine, and I'm not taking or making any phone calls. For me, I hope we do it again." "Whatever you can control, control that," Frazier said. "Until your agent or somebody in the brass comes up to you and says, 'We're looking to move you,' that's when stuff maybe gets in your mind." Renteria focused on job he's doing Rick Renteria termed his 2014 season managing the Cubs as "a great experience," adding that he's talked to a few of the youngsters on the other side of the field. But as far as the low-key White Sox bench coach getting back in the manager's game, that question will be left for another time. "I'll give you the same answer I've always given everybody. I came out here to do the job I'm doing right now," Renteria said. "I've always believed that whatever goes on after that kind of takes care of itself. "I'm happy to be doing what I'm doing right now. Whatever comes in the future, comes in the future." Rodon looking like Sunday starter Ventura indicated Carlos Rodon could be the TBA starter in Sunday's series finale against the Twins at Target Field. Rodon is on the disabled list with a sprained left wrist. "He felt pretty good," Ventura said. "We're going to hold off on that until we get a better idea about him [Friday]." Fulmer atop White Sox prospects list 2016 Draft class joins rankings, top pick Collins at No. 2 By Scott Merkin / MLB.com July 28th, 2016 CHICAGO -- The White Sox were thrilled with their 2016 Draft class, including three picks in the top 49. And apparently others have taken notice. MLBPipeline.com's newest Top 100 prospects overall and the Top 30 for the White Sox, released on Thursday, show the newest selections made quite an impact. Carson Fulmer still sits No. 1 for the White Sox and No. 71 overall. But catcher Zack Collins, the 10th overall Draft pick in June, ranks second for the White Sox and 97th overall, followed by RHP Spencer Adams, RHP Zack Burdi, OF Adam Engel, 3B Trey Michalczewski, RHP Alec Hansen, OF Jameson Fisher, LHP Jordan Guerrero and RHP Jordan Stephens. Burdi (26th), Hansen (49th) and Fisher (fourth round) were also 2016 Draft selections. "You almost have to take each individual case," director of amateur scouting Nick Hostetler said of the '16 Draft, which was his first in charge for the White Sox. "There are times where you want to get overly excited and puff out your chests and say our guys are doing great and whatnot. "But you have to go on the flip side and point out the guys who aren't. The first thing for these guys is to get them accustomed to pro ball. They've got to get their feet wet. They have to understand what life is, doing stuff on their own, washing clothes or getting a meal, whatever it might be." The ranking of baseball's top prospects is done by MLBPipeline.com Draft and prospect experts Jonathan Mayo, Jim Callis and Mike Rosenbaum, who compile input from industry sources, including scouts and scouting directors. It is based on analysis of players' skill sets, upsides, proximity to the Majors and potential immediate impact to their teams. Only players with rookie status are eligible for the list. The rankings follow the Collective Bargaining Agreement guidelines for which players fall under the international pool money rules: Players who were at least 23 years old when they signed and played in leagues deemed to be professional (Japan, Korea, Taiwan, Cuba) are not eligible.

6 Fulmer, who was the top White Sox pick in the 2015 Draft (eighth overall), currently pitches in relief for the big league squad. Fulmer sat 38th among all prospects in the preseason rankings but has struggled in the early part of his bullpen career with a ERA through four games and 3 2/3 innings. "The ball is jumping out of the zone," Fulmer said. "I just have to stay through the ball a little bit better and get my pitches where I want them. And obviously more reps will fix that. It's a matter of time before it clicks." Infielder Luis Curbelo (No. 18) and outfielder Alex Call (No. 19) also cracked the White Sox Top 30 out of the 2016 Draft. The 5 toughest buy or sell dilemmas Royals, Yankees, Mariners, White Sox, Rockies have decisions to make before Trade Deadline By Richard Justice / MLB.com July 28th, 2016 No general manager faces a tougher couple of days than Dayton Moore of the Royals. He has a team on the fringe of the postseason race and veteran players who might bring a bounty of young talent. Buy or sell? For some teams, it's obvious. The Rays, Athletics and Padres are willing to listen to offers for virtually anyone on their rosters. For other teams -- the Royals, for instance -- the path is less clear. Kansas City could still make a postseason run, but it would take a significant turnaround. With the nonwaiver Trade Deadline on Monday at 4 p.m. ET, this is the weekend when decisions have to be made. Let's look at five teams who'll likely have stressful weekends: Royals: th place in American League Central, 9 games back 7th place in AL Wild Card race, 6 1/2 games back Moore is attempting to evaluate what the market is for his closer, Wade Davis, arguably the best in the game. What if Kansas City can get two elite prospects, or maybe three? Moore has other players who have drawn interest, particularly right-hander Edinson Volquez. Moore has had a simple answer: He's listening to what other teams have to say, but he hasn't decided to make deals that would be viewed as pulling the plug on These decisions are the toughest any GM will ever be asked to make. It's one thing to evaluate another team. It's totally different to assess your own. One thing Moore has prided himself on is making the tough call, and this one is a doozy for the defending champs. The Royals have six teams to pass just to get an AL Wild Card berth. Some of those teams -- Red Sox, Astros, Tigers -- are playing better than Kansas City. But while the standings announce one reality, the other reality is that the Royals are one good stretch from getting right back in the hunt for a playoff berth. The Dodgers and Nationals see Davis as someone who potentially could get them to the World Series. If he's traded, the Royals would still have Kelvin Herrera to pitch the ninth inning. If some of the pitchers Moore had counted on get healthy, Kansas City could still play meaningful games in September while putting the club in a better spot for Yankees: 52-49

7 4th place in AL East, 6 games back 4th place in AL Wild Card race, 3 1/2 games back This is an easy call. As long as the deficit is reasonable, the Yankees are in it. If it's the AL Wild Card Game, so be it. Two years ago, the World Series featured two Wild Card teams -- Royals and Giants. When general manager Brian Cashman traded closer Aroldis Chapman to the Cubs, it wasn't an indication the Yanks were pulling the plug on the season. Instead, it was an acknowledgement that the Cubs had made an overwhelming offer. To reject it would have been silly. New Yankees closer Andrew Miller probably would fetch more than Chapman, but Cashman apparently hasn't come close to dealing him. He may also find some interest in veteran outfielder Carlos Beltran, who has been one of the players who has helped the club creep back into contention. For now, the Yanks are going to let things play out. To play two meaningless months of baseball simply isn't in their DNA. They've played well enough lately to justify that thinking. Mariners: rd place in AL West, 6 1/2 games back 5th place in AL Wild Card race, 4 games back The Mariners face few critical free-agent issues after the season, so general manager Jerry Dipoto is free to play things out. If Felix Hernandez gets hot, Seattle has a chance to play meaningful games in September. The Mariners' other issue is an inconsistent bullpen, so Dipoto becomes one of about 20 general managers looking to upgrade that part of his team. Dipoto could be a motivated buyer depending on what happens over the weekend. One of the teams in front of the Mariners, the Rangers, has had a terrible month. The other, the Astros, faces a brutal schedule the first two weeks of September. Seattle still might have an opportunity to make some noise in the postseason picture. White Sox: rd place in AL Central, 8 1/2 games back 6th place in AL Wild Card race, 6 games back Chris Sale and Jose Quintana aren't available, at least for a price any club has been willing to pay so far. General manager Rick Hahn might be willing to move third baseman Todd Frazier, but it's Sale and Quintana who could bring impactful talent. The White Sox began this season in a win-now mode, and unless something changes by Monday afternoon, that's how they'll finish it. Hahn seems likely to keep the current group of players together and add to the core in the hopes of a run in Rockies: rd place in National League West, 9 games back 5th place in NL Wild Card race, 5 games back Few teams are more optimistic about their immediate future than the Rockies, who are loaded with young talent. They may be aiming toward a 2017 playoff run, but they find themselves in the 2016 NL Wild Card race after Thursday's dramatic win against the Mets. General manager Jeff Bridich may listen on both Carlos Gonzalez and Charlie Blackmon, but it would take a significant package of players to get them. Bridich will also listen on relievers Jake McGee and Boone Logan, catcher Nick Hundley and infielder Mark Reynolds.

8 With so much young talent -- shortstop Trevor Story, outfielder David Dahl, catcher Tom Murphy -- Colorado is in a good place, whether it makes the postseason in 2016 or not. A relentless Anthony Rizzo teased Dioner Navarro as only an ex-teammate could By Adrian Garro / Cut4 MLB.com July 28th, 2016 Catcher Dioner Navarro is a member of the White Sox. Back in 2013, Navarro was a member of the Cubs, appearing in 93 games. Anthony Rizzo's tenure with the Cubs began in Therefore, the two of them were teammates in (Thanks, math class!). That important context is pretty much all you need to know to fully appreciate what went down in Thursday's matchup of the two Chicago clubs at Wrigley Field, won by the Cubs, 3-1. It might also help to recall Rizzo's penchant for playful shoves with opposing catchers, too. Rizzo strode to the plate in the fifth inning, prepared to assume his place in the batter's box to face Chris Sale. Too bad Navarro was in the way. No matter, a lighthearted shove ought to do the trick: The Cubs first baseman doubled down on his antics after Navarro reached base in the seventh. This time, Rizzo playfully tossed Navarro's batting glove... because why not? This same type of thing happened across the country in Anaheim during the Red Sox-Angels game, courtesy of Albert Pujols. After the slugger reached first base on a single, he gave known prankster Hanley Ramirez a playful shove: Who says ballplayers don't like to have a little fun out there on the field? Back with White Sox, Chris Sale ready to move on from fiasco By Dan Hayes / CSN Chicago July 28th, 2016 Even though he felt isolated and experienced a five-day stretch he called a fiasco, Chris Sale was right where he wants to be Thursday, surrounded by White Sox teammates. Shortly after a 3-1 loss to the Cubs, the pitcher echoed the sentiments of White Sox management in a 10- minute media session when he suggested he d like to move on from a five-game suspension for insubordination and destruction of team property. With the trade deadline only four days away, Sale wants to stay with the White Sox and hopes the current roster gets an opportunity to win. He also thought an incident in which he destroyed promotional throwback jerseys had been blown out of proportion. While he didn t apologize for his actions, the left-hander said he regretted letting down his teammates and fans who attended Saturday s game. Sale, whose record fell to 14-4 after he allowed two runs in six innings, said he plans to address White Sox players and coaches soon and intends to let them know his level of appreciation. I want to let them know where my head is at, where my heart is at, Sale said. And let them know how much I appreciate them. I felt like I was out on an island, really. 7 o clock rolls around and I usually know what s going on. Sitting at the house sucks. I regret not being there for my guys. I m a pitcher. I m called upon every fifth day and when I can t go out there for my guys and the fans, it gets to me.

9 Similar to March when he pitched a day after ripping executive vice president Kenny Williams, Sale said his focus is back on the field. He declined to answer what he didn t like about the throwback jerseys, calling it counterproductive. Even though the White Sox are on the outside looking in, Sale is hopeful he and his teammates can rally and make a strong postseason push over the final 60 games. I think everyone is making just a little bit bigger deal of this then it really is, Sale said. We are here to win games and from this point forward, I think that s our main focus. We are going to come in every day and do our jobs and try to win ballgames, that s at the forefront. I don t like people filling in for me. I love what I do. I love pitching. I love competing. I love the guys that I m surrounded by. When I let them down, it hurts me more than it hurts them. Three days after he suggested manager Robin Ventura didn t properly support him, Sale declined to discuss their future relationship and again diverted the conversation back to the field. When asked what was the biggest lesson he took from the ordeal, Sale said he wasn t quite sure. I know you guys are trying to get in there and you guys have to write stories and stuff, Sale said. I understand. But they said their side. I said my side. I m ready to talk about baseball and playing baseball and getting back to winning and getting the Chicago White Sox into the postseason. That s my goal. That s my focus. Anything else, that s for you guys. While he admits that his competitive side may have fed into Saturday s events, he also knows abandoning it would hurt him on the field. Sale said he was inundated by texts and calls from teammates past and present during his absence. That only strengthened his desire to win with the current group, Sale said. There s no doubt my emotions have got me to this point, he said. I wouldn t be the same person without them but stuff happens. Move on. We have an unbelievable group of guys in that clubhouse. We ll just push forward. I m here to win. I love exactly where I m at. I have an unbelievable group of guys in that clubhouse. We re pulling for each other, they are pulling for me and vice versa, through and through. I d like to stay with this group of guys and make a push for the playoffs because I love those guys. Robin Ventura isn t convinced White Sox will sell at deadline By Dan Hayes / CSN Chicago July 28th, 2016 There s been plenty of smoke and trade rumors this week, but Robin Ventura doesn t get the sense a deal is forthcoming. The White Sox manager acknowledged on Thursday afternoon his role in trade dealings is minimal as general manager Rick Hahn and his staff have fielded all the phone calls, with Chris Sale and Jose Quintana believed to have drawn the most interest. Jon Heyman reported Thursday the New York Yankees are the latest team to have inquired about Sale s availability. As busy as Hahn has been this week, his phone apparently ringing off the hook, Ventura isn t convinced the White Sox will be sellers come Monday s 3 p.m. deadline. While it could simply be another round of posturing as teams angle to best position themselves, the White Sox headed into Thursday s finale against the Cubs with at least a pulse when it comes to the postseason.

10 This week probably led to some more phone calls, of people calling just to see what's going on with us, Ventura said. I think our guys should look at it as a nice thing that people are calling and asking about you because that means people want you. But I don't want to see anybody go out of here. I don't think that's going to happen. The White Sox managed to stay afloat even though Sale was gone for five games with a 4-1 mark in his absence. That included two walkoff victories over the Detroit Tigers and a pair of wins against the Cubs on Monday and Tuesday. Ventura acknowledged a win behind Sale on Thursday would be a big boost as the club heads into a three-game series at the Minnesota Twins on Friday. The run comes almost a year after the White Sox rolled off seven straight victories to inch their way back into the wild-card race in That week of victories convinced the White Sox to hold off from trading free-agent-to-be Jeff Samardzija. The next four games could very well decide the fate of several players as Hahn said last Thursday the club is open-minded in trade talks and sick of being mired in mediocrity. I hope we do it again, Ventura said. That decision isn t mine and I m not taking or making any phone calls. For me I hope we do it again. Last year the White Sox collapsed after they didn t trade Samardzija, who fell apart and went 1-8 with a 9.24 ERA in his first eight starts after the deadline. The White Sox rotation is in much better shape than last season s with the recent success of James Shields and Miguel Gonzalez. The team also is hopeful Carlos Rodon could return on Sunday to accompany Sale and Quintana. Though the offense has been inconsistent, the group has improved and finally has another much-needed left-handed hitter for the middle of the order in Justin Morneau. So while the White Sox bullpen is beat up pretty good, Ventura thinks his club is better prepared for the stretch run. We re probably better situated of sustaining that than last year, Ventura said. Chris Sale good in return but White Sox lose to Cubs By Dan Hayes / CSN Chicago July 28th, 2016 He wasn't as sharp as a knife, but Chris Sale was still pretty good in his return to the mound on Thursday night. Following a nine-day layoff, including a five-game suspension for insubordination and destruction of team property, Sale pitched well enough for a victorious return. But John Lackey and the Cubs bullpen were even better and the White Sox fell 3-1 in front 41,157 at Wrigley Field and had to settle for a Crosstown Cup series split. Sale, who also singled in two at-bats, allowed two runs and six hits with three walks in six innings. The White Sox dropped to as they head to Minneapolis for a three-game series against the Minnesota Twins. Nobody quite knew what to expect as Sale returned to his team for the first time since he was sent home Saturday for destroying the 1976 throwback uniforms the team was supposed to wear that night. It could go a lot of ways, catcher Dioner Navarro said. But I expect him to show up. He s mature enough and he knows what he s doing. It s weird. It s a crazy situation, but I think if somebody can handle it it s him. Hopefully, he deals today and we won t talk about this for a little bit. Wearing a suit for the road trip to Minneapolis, Sale smiled as he arrived in the visiting clubhouse at 4:42 p.m. Upon entering the constricted confines of the visiting clubhouse, Sale was greeted by a series of fist

11 bumps and hugs. Seated on the floor, outfielder Melky Cabrera shouted my man and jumped up to bear hug Sale, stealing a second hug as the pitcher walked away. Todd Frazier and J.B. Shuck also instantly met Sale before he headed to his corner of the clubhouse and teammates Navarro, Matt Albers, Carlos Rodon and Tyler Saladino walked over, too. With his return coming in the midst of the Crosstown Cup finale, teammates were uncertain what kind of atmosphere Sale would face at Wrigley. I know the crowd s going to be a little crazy, Frazier said. I think everybody in the world kind of knows what happened, and we re on the North Side, so we re going to hear some crazy stuff here. About 40 minutes before first pitch, Sale began to warm up in right field. Near the end of his long-toss session with Navarro, Sale walked to the bullpen and handed a young girl wearing a Sale T-shirt a baseball. As he began to throw off the mound, a number of curious fans began to snap pictures with their phones (even a beer vendor briefly stopped). Another, wearing a green pinstriped Jon Garland White Sox jersey, took a selfie as Sale warmed up. Though a few wisecracks were made, the scene was relatively tame. With Sale returning only hours before he took the mound, Ventura -- who hadn t talked to his pitcher in several days -- didn t expect the left-hander would have much time to address teammates. He thought Sale might talk to players a few at a time over the next few days, though Frazier believed it might happen before he pitched Thursday. Asked if he thought Sale would apologize, Frazier said: That s a good question. I think he knows what he did wrong. I think he s a guy of his word. I think he understands how much winning means to him. I ve had an opportunity to talk to him and, you know, he s ready to go. He just wants to play. I m sure he ll talk to us before the game. Whatever he has to say, if it deals with winning, we ll take it. The White Sox offered their All-Star a welcome back gift with an early run when Melky Cabrera doubled in a run in the first inning. But Lackey found a rhythm and retired 16 of 19 after Cabrera s double. No out was bigger than the last of the sixth inning as Lackey induced a pop up on the infield from Jose Abreu with the go-ahead run at first. Down 2-1, the White Sox threatened once more in the eighth inning as Saladino doubled off Hector Rondon. Rondon recorded two outs before Aroldis Chapman took over and struck out Cabrera with the tying at third. The effort was enough to outdo Sale, who was hurt by walks in the first and third innings. Dexter Fowler drew a nine-pitch leadoff walk in the first inning and Kris Bryant, who homered off Sale in the All-Star Game earlier this month, nearly did it again, settled for an RBI double off the centerfield fence. Sale stranded the go-ahead run however, retiring Anthony Rizzo, Ben Zobrist and Willson Contreras to keep it tied at 1. After Sale hit Fowler and walked Bryant to start the the third, Zobrist hit a comebacker just past Sale in the third for an RBI single and a 2-1 Cubs lead. But even though he wasn t pinpoint, Sale never broke. After stranding a runner at third base in the first inning, he did it again in the fifth. He also struck out pinch-hitter David Ross with two on in the sixth. Though it didn t result in a victory, Sale gave the White Sox what they needed. He's a great kid, Ventura said. This doesn't change that. We've seen him do some really great stuff. I know I've done some stuff that I wouldn't want people to know. We're in an age where in what he's doing

12 is his job, but sometimes you don't get that luxury. I think for him, he's just going to go pitch and we'll move on from there. White Sox find normalcy in Chris Sale s return from suspension By JJ Stankevitz / CSN Chicago July 28th, 2016 The word of the day Thursday around the cramped confines of the visitor s clubhouse at Wrigley Field was normal, as in getting things back to it with ace left-hander Chris Sale taking the mound after serving a five-game suspension for insubordination and destruction of team property. A completely abnormal story Sale cut up the 1976 throwback uniforms he didn t want to wear last Saturday and was sent home for his actions gave way to a relatively routine evening. Sale allowed two runs on six hits with three walks and four strikeouts over six innings, though the White Sox lineup was shut down by John Lackey and the Cubs new three-headed bullpen monster in a 3-1 Crosstown loss. Things were pretty normal, manager Robin Ventura said. Guys got here, not a different clubhouse or anything like that. I think everything went fairly normal as far as him going out there and pitching and it was about baseball. First baseman Jose Abreu said things felt like an ordinary Sale start, even though the American League s All-Star starting pitcher hadn t pitched since July 18. He didn t have his best stuff and wasn t his sharpest, either those three walks were his highest total in over two months as he wasn t able to consistently paint the corners with his explosive arsenal of pitches. But, as usual, Sale worked quickly and kept his team in the game against one of baseball s best offenses. He pitched a very good game, Abreu said through a translator. The Cuban first baseman added: I think that we already moved on. Catcher Dioner Navarro agreed. He gave us a great outing, we just weren t able to score any runs for him, Navarro said. Before the game, third baseman Todd Frazier said he and his teammates rallied around Sale and hoped a solid outing from the 27-year-old left-hander would put the bizarre incident squarely in the rearview mirror. Some mistakes are bigger than others but you gotta understand that we re all not perfect, Frazier said. Things do happen in this game, different things that you think (you ve) never seen before, and then it happens. It s just one of those things, hopefully it goes away quick with the way he pitches." Sale said he didn t discuss the incident or his suspension with his teammates before the game to keep things as normal as possible. After he showed up a little after 4:40 p.m., he received hugs and handshakes from teammates welcoming him back following his five-day exile. But after that, Navarro said things were business as usual. He and Sale went through the gameplan and got ready to face the Cubs' powerful lineup instead of dwelling on what happened last Saturday. Eventually, Sale will talk to his coaches and teammates on a personal level to let them know where my head is at, where my heart is at, and let them know how much I appreciate them. With the White Sox playoff hopes flickering as the trade deadline approaches, though, Sale s teammates are eager to keep the focus on trying to dig themselves out of a substantial, two-games-under-.500 hole. Everything s in the past, Navarro said. He did a great job. Quality start, nothing else you can ask.

13 Back at Wrigley Field, Rick Renteria not concerned about managing again By JJ Stankevitz / CSN Chicago July 28th, 2016 Rick Renteria returned to Wrigley Field this week, but instead of greeting the media in a large, well-lit room outside the palatial new home clubhouse, the former Cubs manager sat in a folding chair in the squeezed confines of the visitor s clubhouse. The cramped setup even made the old Wrigley Field interview room/dungeon, where Renteria held press conferences as the Cubs manager in 2014, look spacious. But with Al Green and some other soul hits of the 1970s blaring from a speaker in his locker, Renteria who s in his first year as the White Sox bench coach said he s not concerned with when he ll get another opportunity to manage after being pushed out for Joe Maddon as the Cubs accelerated their rebuilding process following the 2014 season. I came out here to do the job I m doing right now, Renteria said. I ve always believed that whatever goes on after that kind of takes care of itself. You can t really control those things and that s how I m viewing it. I m happy to be doing what I m doing right now and whatever comes in the future comes in the future. And right now I can t control that. The 54-year-old Renteria, who spent six seasons as a coach for the San Diego Padres before managing the Cubs to a record two years ago, took a down-the-middle approach to that question about if his return to Wrigley Field brought back thoughts of managing again. He said he s shook hands and received well-wishes from a few of his former players, and didn t mention any animosity to how his exit from Clark and Addison went down. Whether or not Renteria gets another managerial gig remains to be seen. But his brief stint as skipper on the north side of Chicago is one he said he looks back upon fondly. I thought it was a good time, Renteria said. It was a lot of positive energy, a lot of possibilities and it was a great experience. Can t deny it, it was a great experience. Chance the Rapper throws shade toward the Cubs By Staff/ CSN Chicago July 28th, 2016 Chris Sale will be back on the mound on Thursday night for the White Sox after serving a five-game suspension for a well-known clubhouse incident. According to Chicago native Chance the Rapper who was recently named a club ambassador for the South Siders Sale being back guarantees a win over the Cubs in the Crosstown Classic. The up-and-coming rap star threw some shade at the Cubs on his Twitter page on Thursday: With so many celebrities from Chicago supporting the Cubs, it's nice to see that someone has the White Sox back.

14 White Sox ace Chris Sale sorry for drawing suspension By Colleen Kane / Chicago Tribune July 28th, 2016 In the dim visiting dugout at Wrigley Field, after pitching for the first time in 10 days, Chris Sale looked at the TV cameras and reporters and spoke of the regrets he felt about leaving his White Sox teammates and fans without an ace for the last five days. Sale said he felt like he was "out on an island" as he sat at home serving his five-game suspension for the jersey-cutting incident that made national headlines, but he said he's ready to move on after pitching six innings of two-run ball in the Sox's 3-1 loss to the Cubs. "I regret not being there for my guys," Sale said. "I'm a pitcher. I'm called upon every fifth day, and when I can't go out there for my guys and the fans, it gets to me. "We have great fans. They're very loyal. They wear their hearts on their sleeves, and it stinks when they want me to go out there and I don't show up." Sale didn't get into specifics about the incident, in which he destroyed 1976 throwback jerseys before Saturday's game against the Tigers because he reportedly found them uncomfortable. He also didn't want to delve into his relationship with manager Robin Ventura and general manager Rick Hahn. "They said their side, I said my side," he said. "I'm ready to talk about baseball and getting back to winning and getting the Chicago White Sox into the postseason." With his name flying around the trade rumor mill something he said didn't contribute to his frame of mind Saturday Sale said he hopes to stay with the Sox to try to make a push this season, citing his teammates as the reason. "I love exactly where I'm at," Sale said. "I have an unbelievable group of guys in that clubhouse. We're pulling for each other. I'd like to stay with this group of guys and make a push for the playoffs because I love those guys." Sale worked his way around the cramped visiting clubhouse offering hugs and hellos about 2 1/2 hours before the game, but he said he hadn't yet had a conversation with his team about the incident. The Sox were flying to Minnesota on Thursday night for their three-game series this weekend, and he wanted to speak with his teammates "on a personal level" to iron things out. He had been in touch with some of them before his return Thursday, so they knew his thoughts beforehand. "He feels bad about some things, so I'm sure he'll take some time to try to rectify the situation," Sox reliever Zach Duke said before Sale arrived. "He's a guy who takes pride in going deep in games and saving the bullpen. Knowing he left us out there (Saturday), that probably took as big a toll as anything on him." Sale said he also realizes he needs to use his emotions in the right ways. "My emotions, clearly I pitch with a lot," Sale said. "I'm a competitive person just keep those in check and use them and not abuse them." He was in control Thursday night. Kris Bryant's RBI double in the first inning and Ben Zobrist's RBI single in the third provided the only runs against Sale. He stranded seven on base, ending the first, third, fifth and sixth innings with runners in scoring position. He struck out pinch-hitter David Ross with two on in the sixth to end his night.

15 "Everything went fairly normal as far as him going out there and pitching and it was about baseball," Ventura said. "Normal" would be a relief after a bizarre week for the Sox. Upon return to Wrigley Field, Rick Renteria concentrates on job at hand By Colleen Kane / Chicago Tribune July 28th, 2016 Rick Renteria said he wasn't overly emotional about his return to Wrigley Field for the first time as White Sox bench coach Wednesday night. Renteria managed the Cubs in 2014 but the club replaced him with Joe Maddon after the season. He has kept a low profile with the Sox since being hired as their bench coach in November and was reluctant to talk about his return to the North Side on Wednesday. But he said Thursday it was nice to see some of his former players and colleagues. "The park had a lot of life and energy, which was neat to see," Renteria said. "But other than that, personally I was just focused on us trying to do what we could do as a club. "The kids that were there have extended their hand a little to say hello. You saw them when they were developing, but for the most part, once the game starts, you see them as an opponent." Renteria said he still looks back on his short time with the Cubs as a "great experience" despite the early dismissal. Now, after taking a year off from the game, he said his time with the Sox also has been "a good fit." When Renteria was hired, it looked as if the Sox were bringing in a potential candidate for manager should Robin Ventura not be retained after the final year of his contract. But Renteria said he can focus only on his current job and not a desire to manage again. "I came out here to do the job I'm doing right now," Renteria said. "I've always believed that whatever goes on after that kind of takes care of itself. You can't really control those things, and that's how I'm viewing it. I'm happy to be doing what I'm doing right now, and whatever comes in the future comes in the future." As for his former team, Renteria said it appears the Cubs newcomers have blended in well. "They are a talented group," Renteria said. "You could see that from the beginning. They are coming together. They are playing as a unit." Roster move: Anthony Ranaudo pitched a quality start and recorded his first major-league hit when he homered Wednesday. Still, the Sox optioned the 26-year-old right-hander to Triple-A Charlotte on Thursday to make room for Chris Sale's return from suspension. Ranaudo's departure signals the impending return of left-hander Carlos Rodon from the disabled list after a left wrist sprain. Ventura said he hopes Rodon will be ready to pitch Sunday against the Twins. Ranaudo had a no-hitter through 5 1/3 innings and ended up allowing three earned runs on two hits and four walks over 6 2/3 innings.

16 Thursday s recap: Cubs 3, White Sox 1 By Paul Skrbina / Chicago Tribune July 28th, 2016 Cubs 3, White Sox 1 Ben Zobrist's seventh career hit against White Sox starter Chris Sale, an RBI single with one out in the third, put the Cubs ahead to stay Thursday during a 3-1 victory against the White Sox. Addison Russell added an insurance run with an RBI groundout in the eighth inning of a game dominated mostly by Sale, Lackey and a host of relievers in front of 41,157 at Wrigley Field. The Cubs victory means the season series ends in a split, with each team winning both games at their home parks. The White Sox's Melky Cabrera and the Cubs' Kris Bryant each hit RBI doubles in the first inning at to leave the score tied 1-1. Sale started for the White Sox after serving a five-day suspension for cutting up some of the team s 1976 throwback jerseys before his scheduled start Saturday. He allowed two runs, six hits, three walks and struck out four in six innings. Jason Heyward, who is 5-for-45 in his last 13 games, was not in the Cubs' starting lineup but entered as a defensive replacement in the ninth. John Lackey retired 10 White Sox in a row from the second inning through the fourth. He allowed a run, four hits a walk and struck out four in six innings. At the plate Ben Zobrist had two hits and an RBI for the Cubs. Melky Cabrera had a pair of hits and an RBI for the White Sox. On the mound The Cubs tried out their new bullpen rotation of Pedro Strop, Hector Rondon and Aroldis Chapman after Lackey departed. Chapman entered early, though, and struck out Cabrera on a 102 mph fastball with a runner on third to end the White Sox s threat in the eighth. Key number Cubs record, the best in baseball. The quote He s a great kid. This doesn t change that. I know I ve done some stuff I wouldn t want people to know. Sox manager Robin Ventura on Sale Cubs top White Sox to earn split decision in City Series By Chris Kuc / Chicago Tribune July 28th, 2016 It was smiles and handshakes all around when Chris Sale strolled into the White Sox's clubhouse at Wrigley Field on Thursday, a few hours after his reinstatement from a five-day suspension. Sale had returned from the team-imposed suspension for cutting up throwback uniforms in a snit before his last scheduled start Saturday and got back to business by trying to help the Sox take their third of four games against the Cubs in the City Series.