CHICAGO—Considering that the White Sox dealt with an array of relief problems during the first two weeks of the regular season, it might not be long before former starting pitcher Anthony Carter gets a shot to display his talents.
Carter, 25, has embarked on his second season as a reliever at Triple-A Charlotte and hadn't allowed a run in his first two appearances for the Knights while striking out three in four innings.
Carter's acceptance and adapting to relief after four minor league seasons as a starter could help him advance.
"I didn't have to preserve myself so I could go six innings," said Carter, who signed as a draft-and-follow as a 26th-round pick out of Georgia Perimeter College in the 2005 draft. "I was out there for one or two innings, and whatever I had in the tank was what I put out there."
Carter made a strong impression in spring training but was blocked out of a veteran bullpen. The coaching staff, however, was aware of his success for Team USA in the Pan Am qualifying tournament last fall and in the Arizona Fall League.
Carter credited Double-A pitching coach J.R. Perdew and pitching coordinators Kirk Champion and Curt Hasler with helping him make a smooth transition.
"He didn't look at it as a demotion," Champion said. "He looked at it as an opportunity. So that was the first hurdle he had to clear. He started being more aggressive and becoming more of a 'I'm coming at you' mentality rather than as a starter where he's moving the fastball around and changing speeds, He really took to it. He was never afraid to throw inside as a starter.
"He takes the mound with confidence because he knows he's prepared and doesn't think about being a reliever instead of a starter."
CHI-LITES
• To replace Jerry Krause as their director of international scouting, the White Sox will train several evaluators—including Dominican academy coordinator Rafael Santana, Dominican scout Guillermo Reyes and Venezuelan scout Amador Arias—in the "White Sox way," general manager Ken Williams said. Those scouts will work with amateur and pro scouts and prepare in case a worldwide draft becomes part of the next Basic Agreement, Williams said.
• Third baseman Jon Gilmore and shortstop Tyler Saladino were in extended spring training recovering from hand injuries. Gilmore could resume playing by the end of April, while Saladino was expected to return in May.