CHICAGO -- Chicago White Sox reliever Zach Putnam officially joined Triple-A Charlotte on Tuesday to begin an injury rehab assignment for his sore right shoulder.
Putnam, who played a key role in settling down the White Sox bullpen when he was recalled from Charlotte in April, was placed on the disabled list July 24 with right shoulder inflammation.
He will join Matt Lindstrom and Avisial Garcia, who are also on rehab assignments at Triple-A. In two appearances, Lindstrom has given up three runs on five hits over two innings. Garcia, whose rehab assignment was slowed when he was hit by a pitch on the left arm, has gone 5-for-10 in three games.
With the White Sox’s bullpen struggling, the return of Putnam and Lindstrom is highly anticipated, but manager Robin Ventura won’t count the days until they are back. He has no choice right now, but to depend on his struggling cast that includes Ronald Belisario, Javy Guerra, Eric Surkamp and Andre Rienzo.
“We’re going to have to use them, so for them they’re just going to have to be ready,” Ventura said. “They’re going to have to be better.”
