Scott Carroll recalled to Chicago White Sox; Erik Johnson optioned to Charlotte Knights

By Seth Lakso, Charlotte Observer Correspondent

On Sunday the Chicago White Sox promoted Charlotte Knights RHP Scott Carroll. He’s scheduled to make his Major League debut for Chicago today against the Tampa Bay Rays and David Price. 

In another roster move, the White Sox have optioned RHP Erik Johnson to the Charlotte Knights.

Johnson entered the 2014 season as the White Sox No. 2 prospect, according to Baseball America. Following a strong Spring Training, the second-round pick in 2011, earned a spot in Chicago’s starting rotation.

However, he has struggled with his control as of late, walking 15 batters in 23 2.3 innings of work. In his most recent start, Johnson lasted just 1 2/3 innings, allowing four earned runs, while walking four.

"I think it's just something where I have to go down and refine my stuff and get it back to where it was, and hopefully come back up and help the team as best as I can," Johnson told MLB.com.

"They just said, 'You're going down to Charlotte,'" Johnson continued. "'You need to just get your stuff back and be who you are and just get back to what you know how to do.'

"No one expects to go down. I think it's definitely a privilege to be in the big leagues and it's a privilege to play here and you've got to bring it every day. Right now what I'm doing is not what gets results out there."

Carroll, 29, has been excellent this season with the Knights, posting a 3-1 record and a 1.57 ERA. He was named the International League’s Pitcher of the Week after not allowing an earned run in his first 19 innings of work this season.

"He's doing pretty good down in Triple-A," Sox manager Robin Ventura told MLB.com. "For us, it's 'give the guy a shot.'"

Carroll missed most of last season recovering from Tommy John surgery. Knights pitching coach Richard Dotson, credits the rehab work Carroll put in for the sinker-baller’s refined mechanics and success this season.

It's been a long road to the Majors for Carroll, who is by all accounts a high-character guy. His first pitch against the Rays is scheduled for 2:05 p.m. today. You can follow his start, HERE.