WHITE SOX HEADLINES OF MAY 23, 2017 “Rodon frustrated but 'close to normal' in rehab” … Scott Merkin, MLB.com “White Sox can't solve Greinke in opening loss” … Steve Gilbert & Scott Merkin, MLB.com “Moncada in Chicago for checkup on thumb” … Scott Merkin, MLB.com “Gonzalez sees positives despite 5th straight L” … Scott Merkin, MLB.com “Covey seeks first win vs. Corbin, D-backs” … Scott Merkin, MLB.com “White Sox fall to Diamondbacks in series opener” … Dan Hayes, CSN Chicago “Luis Robert the latest high-end acquisition for White Sox” … Dan Hayes, CSN Chicago “White Sox prospect Yoan Moncada’s trip to Chicago much ado about nothing” … Dan Hayes, CSN Chicago “Carlos Rodon ‘getting closer’ but still without time frame for return” … Dan Hayes, CSN Chicago “Jake Petricka’s injury rehab continues to gain speed” … Dan Hayes, CSN Chicago “Even with Luis Robert agreement, White Sox GM Rick Hahn says more work to do” … Colleen Kane, Chicago Tribune “White Sox top prospect Yoan Moncada in Chicago — but just for doctor visit” … Colleen Kane, Chicago Tribune “Diamondbacks veteran Zack Greinke shuts down White Sox in 5-1 loss” … Colleen Kane, Chicago Tribune “Injured pitcher Carlos Rodon hopes White Sox will 'lift the leash off' soon” … Colleen Kane, Chicago Tribune “Rick Renteria not placing limits on White Sox goals” … Colleen Kane, Chicago Tribune “Diamondbacks, Greinke halt White Sox’ win streak at three” … Daryl Van Schowen, Chicago Sun-Times “White Sox’ rebuild shifts into a higher gear” … Daryl Van Schouwen, Chicago Sun-Times “Carlos Rodon fights ‘frustration’ on slow road back” … Daryl Van Schouwen, Chicago Sun-Times “Matt Davidson returns to Arizona as threat in White Sox lineup” … Daryl Van Schouwen, Chicago Sun-Times “Why signing Luis Robert is so important for Chicago White Sox” … Scot Gregor, Daily Herald Rodon frustrated but 'close to normal' in rehab White Sox lefty has spent season recovering from biceps bursitis By Scott Merkin / MLB.com | @scottmerkin | May 22nd, 2017 PHOENIX -- Recovering from biceps bursitis has not exactly gone as Carlos Rodon envisioned when he went on the disabled list prior to the start of the 2017 season. "I didn't think much of it," said the White Sox southpaw, addressing the media for the first time since the end of Spring Training at Chase Field Monday after throwing a simulated game hours earlier. "I thought it would be three or four weeks in April, come back, make a couple rehab starts and be ready the first of May. "Now it's May 22," Rodon added. "And we're still here." But Rodon appears to be making progress in his ongoing throwing program. Monday's outing marked Rodon's fourth simulated game. He was able to get up and down four times while throwing 60 pitches to Minor Leaguers brought over from the White Sox Camelback Ranch complex. "Today it played pretty much 100 percent, pretty close to normal command, stuff coming back," Rodon said. "It's a lot better." "He's been out there now three or four times throwing to hitters," White Sox general manager Rick Hahn said. "Each time has been a little more crisp from what I understand from the previous ones to today. Hopefully here in the coming weeks we are able to announce he's starting a rehab assignment and we'll have a better sense of his time frame at that point." Rodon sees things more through a normal five-day rotation setup, so even if another simulated game follows, Rodon is doing his in-between work as if he's preparing for a start. Frustration pretty much describes the overriding emotion for Rodon, who has watched the White Sox in action via television while working in Arizona. He wants to return to the mound, the clubhouse, the dugout, but with his shoulder tightness now turning to more of a dull soreness, he understands the caution being taken has a purpose. "The competitor in me tells me to go out there, screw it, I can pitch. I'll do it. I don't care," said the 24-year-old. "But then you have to step back and know this is your career. It's something that could affect you over a long period of time. I have to be healthy. I can't be on the DL every other month, you know? "That's not going to work. You have to be a reliable starter, a guy who goes seven innings. We're looking into the future. Not just this year but into the future. Obviously, hopefully I'm a part of that, but it's hard to take the reins back on myself." White Sox can't solve Greinke in opening loss By Steve Gilbert and Scott Merkin / MLB.com | May 23, 2017 PHOENIX -- Zack Greinke continued his recent run of success, allowing one run over 8 2/3 innings as the D-backs beat the White Sox, 5-1, on Monday night at Chase Field. Greinke (6-2) won his fourth straight start and his fifth straight decision as he puts together a bounceback season following a disappointing 2016. The right-hander struck out a season-high 12, the 27th double-digit strikeout game of his career and his third this year. "Great night for Zack," D-backs manager Torey Lovullo said. "He kept a very offensive team, as of late, in check and was making all sorts of pitches. He had the slider, changeup combination off a very spotted up and aggressive fastball. It was another Zack moment for us, something that we're really leaning on every fifth day and we're sure this will continue for the rest of the year." Daniel Descalso and Paul Goldschmidt each homered to pace the D-backs' offense, while the White Sox got a homer from Leury Garcia. Sox starter Miguel Gonzalez (3-5) dropped his fifth straight start as he allowed five runs (four earned) in five-plus innings. "I understand my team is out there battling every time we have an at-bat, and that's what it's all about," Gonzalez said. "It's going to be changing for us in a positive way for sure." MOMENTS THAT MATTERED Descalso goes deep (again): Descalso's three-run homer in the fourth inning was his fourth of the year and it came in his 66th plate appearance. Of his first 13 hits this year, four were homers, including his first career walk-off homer on April 30 against the Rockies. "Breaking ball out over the middle of the plate," Descalso said. "I wanted to be aggressive in that spot with men in scoring position." A little extra: The D-backs gave Greinke some extra breathing room in the sixth when Goldschmidt led off the inning with a home run, and Arizona caught a break when Chicago catcher Omar Narvaez dropped the ball on a force play at home, which allowed the D-backs an unearned run and gave them a 5-1 lead. "Goldy with the solo home run and then we tacked another one on which I thought was really crucial," Lovullo said. QUOTABLE "You have to stay focused no matter what. He's doing his part. I have to do mine."-- Gonzalez on pitching against an almost un-hittable Greinke ONE STREAK ENDS, ANOTHER CONTINUES With an 0-for-4 showing against Greinke, Yolmer Sanchez's 12-game hitting streak came to an end. But Garcia's homer extended the team's homer streak to eight straight games and 11 of its last 12. UPON FURTHER REVIEW White Sox manager Rick Renteria challenged a play at the plate in the sixth when Jake Lamb was ruled safe on a slow roller by Rey Fuentes to shortstop Tim Anderson with the bases loaded. Anderson's throw couldn't be hauled in by catcher Narvaez, with the ball rolling out of his mitt, and the call stood after video replay. WHAT'S NEXT White Sox: Dylan Covey (0-3, 7.64) will make his eighth attempt at career victory No. 1 when he takes the mound at 8:40 p.m. CT Tuesday night in Arizona. Covey pitched a career-best six innings in his last start against the Mariners after setting a career-high with nine strikeouts in his prior start against the Padres. D-backs: Patrick Corbin will get the start for the D-backs at 6:40 p.m. MST Tuesday night when the D-backs host to the White Sox. Corbin has allowed 16 earned runs in 16 innings over his last three starts. Moncada in Chicago for checkup on thumb MLB's top prospect hitting .331 with Triple-A Charlotte By Scott Merkin / MLB.com | @scottmerkin | May 22nd, 2017 PHOENIX -- Yoan Moncada was in Chicago Monday, and news quickly traveled across social media in the morning. But the top-rated prospect in baseball, per MLBPipeline.com, was not looking for a new residence in preparation for a White Sox callup from Triple-A Charlotte. He was in town for a followup on his bruised left thumb that put him on the disabled list. "When a guy in the Minor Leagues is dealing with some sort of issue, we tend to bring him to Chicago for confirmation with our specialists that everything is fine," White Sox general manager Rick Hahn said. "Doctors in Chicago echo the analysis of the guys in the Minors. He's dealing with a bruised thumb. Hopefully he will be back out there in the coming days." Moncada, who is hitting .331 with 11 extra-base hits, 10 stolen bases and 27 runs scored, played with the bone bruise before the organization slowed him down.