White Sox not taking Grant Taylor's versatility for granted — or stretching him out for traditional starts

Second-year flamethrower Grant Taylor has looked sharp in most of his one-inning outings early this season.

He looked unhittable in a two-inning opening appearance over the weekend in Kansas City, and he might get a shot at some three-inning outings — but don’t expect any more than that this season from Chris Getz’s prized right-hander.

The general manager said Tuesday they’re aiming for about 100 innings from Taylor over the course of the season, and while “there’s different ways to get there,” it won’t include traditional starts.

"I don't anticipate that. … We went to two innings out of the gate, I guess potentially we could go to three at some point,” Getz said. “It's more kind of knowing roughly where we want the marker to be and utilizing him in different roles and making sure he's recovering well.”

Taylor, who pushed for a starting opportunity in the offseason, had struck out 10 batters in 8⅓ innings entering Tuesday, surrendering one run on six hits and two walks.

Four of his seven appearances have come as the opener ahead of bulk throwers, but the Sox are looking to fill the versatility gap left by Mike Vasil, last year’s Swiss-army man who’s down for the season after Tommy John surgery.

“If it makes sense to have him throw one or two innings at the front of the game, or middle of the game or late in the game, we're open to that. But the openers with Grant have gone pretty well. He's looked very comfortable himself and it's led to a positive team outcome as well,” Getz said. “Nothing is set in stone with how we're going to use him. More than anything we hope that he can remain productive and healthy and help us win ballgames.”

Coming and going

Outfielder Everson Pereira returned to the Sox after a brief rehabilitation assignment at Triple-A Charlotte in his recovery from a sprained ankle, taking the roster spot left from Monday’s trade of Lenyn Sosa to the Blue Jays.

The team also placed Jonathan Cannon on the injured list with right hip inflammation after he exited his first big-league game of the season Sunday at Kansas City with a pitching line that seems harsh.

After his wild pitch advancing two inherited runners, Cannon walked three straight batters, bringing two across home plate — leaving him charged with a blown save in the third inning, one earned run and an infinite ERA.

It also resulted in a long afternoon for the bullpen as manager Will Venable tapped nine pitchers in nine innings for just the second time in franchise history.

Starter Sean Burke said he was loosening up before the Sox locked down a 6-5 win. “I was sitting there trying to get in the game any way that I could. … I said I’d be ready to go down there if we needed it.”

Teelin’ better

Getz said catcher Kyle Teel could head out for rehab stint next week as he nears returning from the injured list with the hamstring he pulled while playing for Team Italy in the World Baseball Classic.

Teel went through pre-game workouts with team trainers in Kansas City and took batting practice Tuesday at Rate Field.

"He’s heading out in about a week or so. He’ll begin his rehab and we will bring him back when the time is right," Getz said.