In one of the most unexpected moments of the 2009 MLB season, Jose Contreras returned to the White Sox and pitched 8 shutout innings, while only giving up 1 hit and 1 walk. Contreras had previously been 0-5 and not having a good outing at all.
Team officials had been mentioning that Contreras figured out the issue in AAA Charlotte and was fully healthy. Turns out they were correct as Contreras's effort earned the Sox a split with the visiting Tigers today.
His performance is obviously encouraging as it gets added to the recent string of strong starts from most of the rotation. However, Clayton Richard has also been pitching well and is more important at this stage to the team than Contreras. One of the two is going to the bullpen after tonight, and I have a bad feeling it will be Richard. Of course, the ideal solution is to leave both in the rotation if Contreras has reverted to '05 form and send Bartolo Colon packing. But that is doubtful.
If Contreras does, in fact, return to the rotation, he has to follow this effort up. They know what he is capable of and what he can bring to the pitching staff. But once isn't enough. If he follows with more excellent performances, then he will be a great addition to the rotation from within the organization. If not, it will be the same old thing, and the Sox can't afford the same old thing right now.
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