White Sox Release Pitcher John Danks In Tough Decision For GM Rick Hahn

The Chicago White Sox parted with veteran left-handed pitcher John Danks on Tuesday, when the team released him after a 10-year tenure.

White Sox Release Pitcher John Danks In Tough Decision For GM Rick Hahn

Danks, 31, struggled through one of the worst months of his career after losing all four of his starts in April and posting a 7.25 ERA. Nevertheless, when general manager Rick Hahn broke the terrible news to Dank, he did not see him as a soft-tossing pitcher who had accounted for half of the White Sox’s losses last month.

Instead, Hahn saw the hard-throwing lefty who started game 163 of the amazing 2008 season for the team, the player who made his way through 88 starts following shoulder surgery in 2012, and the folksy veteran who, after nearly a decade, had long been considered a strong clubhouse influence and one of the most respected players on the White Sox roster.

However, the team was left with the inevitable choice of cutting Danks given its desire to become a serious contender.

“At the end of the day, this is about putting us in the best position to win ballgames,” Hahn said in the Sox dugout at U.S. Cellular Field.

Danks is the second player to leave the team in recent months, the first one being former slugger and first baseman Adam LaRoche, who parted ways with the White Sox in March after the team prohibited him from bringing his son to games and practices.

The White Sox (19-8), who defeated the Boston Red Sox 4-1 at home on Tuesday, have now made a clear statement that they are willing to do whatever it takes to put the team over the top.

“I think they already knew that we were (committed),” Hahn said of his players.

Danks, who was acquired from the Texas Rangers in a trade on Dec. 23, 2006, became one of the steadiest starters in the American League from 2008-2010, going 40-31 with a 3.61 ERA during that time.

Since the 2012 season, following his left shoulder surgery, Danks has not produced an ERA below 4.71.

“It’s never easy to make a move like this when you have as much respect for the player involved as we all do for Johnny,” Hahn said. “He’s been a tremendous teammate for everyone in that locker room this year and throughout his entire White Sox career, and obviously an extremely hard worker.”

The move will become official on Thursday, when Erik Johnson arrives from Triple-A Charlotte to start for the White Sox. Pitcher Carlos Rodon moves up one day to take the mound on Wednesday.

The team will also look at right-hander Miguel Gonzalez, who already made one start for the team in Toronto, and righty Jacob Turner and top prospect Carson Fulmer, although his potential promotion from Double-A Birmingham would be down the line.

Dank is still owed more than $11.9 million in the final season of a five-year, $65 million extension.

“We’re going to miss him,” third baseman Todd Frazier said of Danks, who ranks sixth in club history among left-handed pitchers in starts and quality starts. “I’m especially going to miss him. He kind of taught me a little bit about the Chicago Way, and he’s just one of those guys who’s going to be in the back of your mind a little bit every couple days, just thinking about how he’s doing.”

Danks has a career record of 79-104 with a 4.38 ERA in 247 games, all starts for the White Sox.

Dan Hayes of CSN Chicago tweeted that Danks had been designated for assignment by the Sox:

PHOTO: BALTIMORE, MD – APRIL 28: Starting pitcher John Danks #50 of the Chicago White Sox works the first inning against the Baltimore Orioles at Oriole Park at Camden Yards on April 28, 2016 in Baltimore, Maryland. (Photo by Patrick Smith/Getty Images)