bd811
08-14-2002, 12:40 PM
ARLINGTON, Texas—Keith Foulke has made 333 consecutive relief appearances since coming to the White Sox in 1997. That streak could end soon.
With the 2003 rotation uncertain behind Mark Buehrle, Jon Garland and Dan Wright, the Sox are considering giving Foulke a shot in September. Even while he was among the American League's best closers, Foulke has been eager to try starting again.
Manager Jerry Manuel said he wants to use the remaining 6½ weeks of the season "to get a read" on '03 starters, beginning with Jim Parque. He said that while Foulke hasn't been prepared to start—his longest outing of the season is 22/3 innings—it might be better for him to get a chance during the regular season than next spring.
"In Arizona it's tough to ask a guy to start and get beat up every fifth day," said Manuel, who believes it's difficult to prepare a pitching staff in Tucson's hitter-friendly conditions. "The only thing now is it would be tough to get a guy stretched out during the season."
Foulke hasn't had a save since June 27. He is in the first year of a two-year contract that will pay him $6 million next season.
Foulke was a starter in San Francisco's farm system. He compiled a 32-17 record with a 3.29 ERA but failed as a starter for the Giants in 1997. He is 1-4 with a 6.99 ERA in eight career starts.
With the 2003 rotation uncertain behind Mark Buehrle, Jon Garland and Dan Wright, the Sox are considering giving Foulke a shot in September. Even while he was among the American League's best closers, Foulke has been eager to try starting again.
Manager Jerry Manuel said he wants to use the remaining 6½ weeks of the season "to get a read" on '03 starters, beginning with Jim Parque. He said that while Foulke hasn't been prepared to start—his longest outing of the season is 22/3 innings—it might be better for him to get a chance during the regular season than next spring.
"In Arizona it's tough to ask a guy to start and get beat up every fifth day," said Manuel, who believes it's difficult to prepare a pitching staff in Tucson's hitter-friendly conditions. "The only thing now is it would be tough to get a guy stretched out during the season."
Foulke hasn't had a save since June 27. He is in the first year of a two-year contract that will pay him $6 million next season.
Foulke was a starter in San Francisco's farm system. He compiled a 32-17 record with a 3.29 ERA but failed as a starter for the Giants in 1997. He is 1-4 with a 6.99 ERA in eight career starts.