Jake Peavy injury: White Sox RHP out 4-6 weeks with broken rib

Jake Peavy had looked fine for the White Sox again, but turned awful in back-to-back losses where he gave up six runs. It seems a broken rib was to blame, as he’s headed to the DL to rest for over a month.

by Rodger Sherman

Jun 5, 2013, 10:23 PM UTC

David Banks

Jake Peavy's injury is worse than expected: the 2007 Cy Young Award winner coming off an All-Star season will miss at least a month for the White Sox with a broken rib, the team announced on Wednesday.

The only treatment for the injury is rest, Dan Hayes of CSN Chicago writes. Hayes also reported that Peavy’s rotation spot will be taken by Hector Santiago.

More on Peavy's injury: South Side Sox

Peavy had left his start in Seattle Tuesday night with rib pain, giving up six runs in 2⅓ innings, but initial X-rays came up negative. The team scheduled an MRI for Wednesday, and it showed the broken rib. It’s not clear how the injury occurred, as its tough to break a rib just by trying to pitch.

The 32-year-old showed somewhat of a return to form in 2012, with a 3.37 ERA and 194 strikeouts, his best full season since being traded by the Padres to the White Sox in 2009. He'd been fine this year before his rib started acting up. After a complete game, one-run outing against the Marlins, his ERA was down to 2.97. Back to back losses six-run outings where he didn't make it out of the fifth saw that ERA balloon to 4.30, and dropped his record to 6-4.

At 24-32, the White Sox aren’t contending, but there had been talk about using the one-time ace as a trade piece. Having a broken rib obviously hurts his value, although he still should pitch for several months this season. The team owes Peavy $29 million over this season and the next, with a player option for $15 million more in 2015.

Santiago has pitched primarily in relief for the White Sox, as the 25-year-old lefty has recorded a 3.40 ERA and 45 strikeouts in 45 innings. He’s only given up nine earned runs combined between five starts, but he’s twice been slapped with losses in extra inning games.