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DETROIT - Hector Santiago knows he will be heading to Newark, N.J., for the All-Star break after the White Sox's weekend series in Philadelphia.
But after that, Santiago's status could be a tad uncertain. Jake Peavy could rejoin the Sox rotation after the break, pending how he performs Sunday in his first minor league rehabilitation start for Double-A Birmingham.
Santiago was dispatched to the bullpen in late May when John Danks returned from shoulder surgery but rejoined the rotation after Peavy was diagnosed with a left rib fracture June 5.
And although relievers Jesse Crain, Matt Thornton and Matt Lindstrom are getting plenty of interest as the July 31 non-waiver trade deadline approaches, the left-handed Santiago is receiving more attention from major league scouts, according to one American League evaluator watching the Tigers series.
Santiago's versatility could be too valuable for the Sox to trade, unless there's a deal too attractive to pass up.
Santiago, 25, who has climbed from a 30th-round pick in the 2006 draft to the Sox's most adaptable pitcher, seems prepared for any scenario but hopes to remain with the White Sox.
"There were a couple of years when I thought I never was going to pitch," Santiago recalled Thursday. "I even had days in the minors when I think I didn't pitch for 23 days and always felt like I was the odd man out. I wasn't in the top 10 rounds or wasn't considered a prospect, so I just put in the extra work to show them I wanted to be here. I feel like I belong to be here.
"I came up with a lot of these coaches and players, so going somewhere else and starting all over would be tough. You always want to come back because you're comfortable and feel it's family and home.
"I feel I've been here for so long it's where I'm going to be for a while, hopefully."
Rotation on hold: The Sox apparently will wait to see if Chris Sale pitches in the All-Star Game on Tuesday before setting their rotation for the second half.
Whether Dylan Axelrod, who has allowed 29 earned runs in his last 28 innings, stays in the rotation remains to be seen.
"As of right now, (Axelrod) is still going to pitch," Ventura said. "At some point, with Jake (Peavy) coming back, who knows how we are going to go. We'll see that and decide that when we get closer to it."
Extra innings: Shortstop Alexei Ramirez left after suffering cramps in his right leg after hitting a single in the sixth inning but should play Friday. ... First baseman Paul Konerko (lower back stiffness) will have a better idea of how close he is to returning by Sunday after he resumes swinging a bat.
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