May 24
RHP Jeff Samardzija hasn't been babied, but he has been backed off and treated cautiously in his first full year as a major league starting pitcher. So it was Wednesday, when acting manager Jamie Quirk removed Samardzija after six innings and 90 pitches.
"I said, 'Hey, you have a career. This is your first year starting and we have to watch it, and you have a long career ahead of you. Save some pitches right now,'" Quirk said.
May 23
Samardzija continued his impressive start to the year, pitching 6.0 innings of two run ball although he came away with the loss in Wednesday's bout with the Astros.
Recommendation: Samardzija struck out four over his 6.0 innings of work but saw his record fall to 4-3 on the year. His ERA stands right on the button at 3.00 and his WHIP impressively at 1.18. The former Notre Dame standout looks to be finally putting it all together.
May 19
Samardzija pitched into the eighth in a loss against the White Sox on Friday.
Advice: He allowed three runs on a pair of homers, striking out eight while hitting a batter. Samardzija is 4-2 with a 3.00 ERA this season, striking out 53 in 51 innings.
