Notes: Prospect Stiever recalled; Lamb in LF

The White Sox recalled right-hander Jonathan Stiever, their No. 7 prospect per MLB Pipeline, from the team’s alternate training site as their 27th player for Sunday's twin bill against the Red Sox.

Stiever provides added depth for the White Sox after they used four pitchers in Saturday’s 7-4 loss to Boston. The right-hander’s 2021 season debut may come as Chicago’s Game 2 starter. It’ll just come down to the way Game 1 unfolds, according to White Sox manager Tony La Russa.

"Jonathan is an outstanding prospect. I mean, I wouldn't hesitate to use him in either one of these two games," La Russa said. "So I just think first priority is Game 1. You don't want to be saving something for Game 2 when you have a real chance to win Game 1. That's the way it's gotta be playing any games with the Red Sox. It's gonna depend on who we need to get the first win in the first game we play."

Stiever made two starts for the White Sox in his big league debut last September. He allowed seven runs on seven hits and four walks in 6 1/3 innings.

Stiever has two seasons in the Minor Leagues under his belt with a 3.59 career ERA. His best stint was in 2019 for Class A Advanced Winston Salem, where he went 6-4 with a 2.15 ERA in 71 innings over 12 starts.

Stiever’s curveball is ranked as the best in the White Sox organization, per Baseball America.

Lamb makes left-field debut
Jake Lamb will make his first career appearance in the outfield during Game 1 of Sunday’s doubleheader.

During the course of the offseason and Spring Training, Lamb worked to familiarize himself with the outfield. The 30-year-old primarily played third base when he was a member of the D-backs, where he spent his first six-plus big league seasons.

After he signed with the White Sox on March 30, first-base coach Darly Boston worked with Lamb to prepare him for the new position. The dimensions of Fenway Park’s outfield put Lamb in a position to utilize his infield skills.

"The one thing about Boston is there's not a lot of ground to cover -- the trick is the wall. So the problem in day games -- and later in the afternoon -- is right field,” La Russa said. “He's done the work, and I've said before, if you're an infielder, then you're always reading the ball off the bat. Going to the outfield, you've got an advantage because you've got more time to read it."

Lamb has played three games for the White Sox, but only one as a defensive player. He logged eight innings at third base at Seattle on April 7.

“I'm confident he'll do a good job, and I like getting his bat in the lineup," La Russa said. “He's an athlete. Actually, he's an experienced athlete.”