Neal

Cotts

Cotts is content to stay in the pen for now. ''I would love to be a starter, but I enjoy the bullpen,’' he said. ''If being a starter is where they want me eventually, that would be fine.’' As long as he has a decent spring, Cotts should have a spot on the White Sox.

Cotts, formerly of the A’s farm system, isn’t the best pitching prospect in the White Sox’ system, but the team appears to be giving some thought to giving the 23-year-old a call up.

Wright struggled in his first start at New York, but shouldn’t worry yet. Wright’s next start is Friday versus Tampa Bay and the team expects improvement.

Cotts might not be in long relief for long. ''I think that kid is special,’' manager Ozzie Guillen said. ''He’s going to be one of the stars very soon. He has great stuff and commands [his pitches] very well.’' Grab the young lefty for cheap while you still can.

Dan Wright will make the start since the Sox didn’t like the matchup of the lefty Cotts against the strong righthanded lineup of the Mariners. Cotts, 8-6 with a 2.41 ERA and 117 strikeouts over 93 innings at Birmingham, is expected to join the White Sox when rosters expand in September.

Dan Wright and Jon Rauch are possibilities to replace Cotts in the rotation on Sept. 9, the next time a fifth starter is needed. Either Rauch or Matt Ginter will be recalled to take Cotts’ roster spot.

Cotts was in the mix for a bullpen job this spring, but he suffered a Grade 2 strain of his left lat muscle over the weekend and is expected to be sidelined for the next four weeks. The Rangers also reassigned infielder Luis Hernandez to minor league camp.

Cotts will need four weeks of rehab before beginning a throwing program. The 32-year-old made a strong case for a bullpen spot this spring by posting a 4.22 ERA and 7/3 K/BB ratio over 10 2/3 innings, but it now appears Robbie Ross will win a job as the lone left-hander.

It’s unfortunate timing for Cotts, who hasn’t pitched in the majors the last two seasons but looked good enough in camp that he was going to earn a roster spot. Robbie Ross is the lone left-hander standing for the Rangers.

Cotts hasn’t pitched in a major league game since 2009, when he was a member of the Cubs. He’ll function as organizational relief depth in 2012 for the Rangers.