BOSTON -- Second baseman Yolmer Sánchez was unavailable to play Tuesday night against the Red Sox because he is battling a high-grade fever.

Chicago manager Rick Renteria said the White Sox treated Sanchez, who returned to the team hotel to rest. Sanchez pinch-hit for Jose Rondon in Monday’s loss. He went 1-for-2 with an RBI and a strikeout.

Rondon started at second on Tuesday. He was hitless in two at-bats in the series opener.

Fulmer starts due to shorthanded pitching staff

Bullpen arm Carson Fulmer, who has made nine relief appearances this season, got the start Tuesday against the Red Sox. It was the righty’s first start since May 18, 2018, when he pitched two innings (eight runs, three hits, five walks, two strikeouts) against the Rangers. He pitched two innings, allowing one run off two hits and recording three strikeouts, in the 6-3 loss at Fenway Park.

“It wasn’t really a scientific decision to make, to be honest,” Renteria said. “Obviously, he’s started, but he’s been relieving for us. He’s a guy that we have that can give us … potentially a little bit longer of an outing.”

The White Sox pitching staff has been shorthanded this season due to injuries. Right-hander Dylan Covey (right shoulder inflammation) is slated to make a rehab start with the Triple-A Charlotte Knights on Wednesday. Renteria said Covey will be limited as the team focuses on his health.

“I think he’s learning how to go multiple innings,” Renteria said. “His stuff is really good. I think that we’ve tried to give him as many opportunities as we can to try to do that with him. … It’s fair to say, I think, everybody believes he’s done a really nice job. He’s really come around from where he was at last year and has the possibility of being able to do that.”

A familiar opponent

In Wednesday’s series finale, the White Sox are set to see a familiar face on the mound in Red Sox starter Chris Sale. The club traded Sale to the Red Sox in 2016 and acquired Yoan Moncada, among others, in return. Sale entered the game 3-7 with a 3.59 ERA this season.

“He’s an excellent pitcher,” Renteria said. “He’s been one of the tops in the big leagues. I think that from a standpoint, everybody in that room is ready to compete and go out and go against their former teammate. … The experiences that these guys are going to gain against someone like Chris Sale are going to help us moving forward. In a way, we kind of do look forward to competing against him, absolutely.”