White Sox manager Will Venable informed the beat this afternoon that rookie righty will be in the season-opening rotation ( Scott Merkin of MLB.com). The former third-round pick joins , and as locks for the Opening Day starting staff. Chicago optioned lefty , who had entered camp as a candidate for a rotation spot. The former first-round pick worked mostly in long relief last season but Damyean Dotson Jersey was building back up as a starter this spring. Venable suggested Shuster may move back to the bullpen in Triple-A ( ). The Wake Forest product allowed nine runs in seven innings. Prez, who signed a $5MM free agent deal, has by far the most experience of anyone in Chicagos rotation. Cannon, who worked to a 4.49 ERA over 124 1/3 frames, is the only returning pitcher who reached even 75 MLB innings last season. Martin returned from Tommy John surgery in the second half. He allowed 4.32 earned runs per nine over 50 innings down the stretch. That trio entered camp with rotation spots solidified. It was more in question whether Burke would break camp. The Sox called him up midway through September. He impre sed over four appearances, working to a 1.42 ERA with 22 strikeouts in 19 innings. The Maryland product has to sed five innings of three-run ball with three strikeouts and walks apiece this spring. Burke fanned 31% of batters faced over 16 Triple-A starts last season. He also walked 13% of opponents, raising questions about whether hell have the nece sary command to stick as a starter, but the Sox will see how his stuff plays against MLB hitters. Venable hasnt committed to a fifth starter. With Shuster out of consideration, that job will probably fall to one of or . Wilson is out of options and has plenty of experience working in long relief. He turned in a 4.04 ERA over 103 2/3 frames for Milwaukee last season; Chicago signed him to a $1.05MM deal after the Brewers non-tendered him. Smith is a Rule 5 pick out of the Milwaukee system. The 64 righty started 16 of 27 Double-A appearances. He allowed 3.08 earned runs per nine with a near-30% strikeout rate over 87 2/3 innings. Smith has had a decent start to camp. He has fanned nine hitters over 6 2/3 frames, allowing four runs. Chicago shouldnt have an i sue keeping him on the MLB roster to gain his long-term contractual rights. Most Rule 5 pitchers work in low-leverage relief, at least to begin the season. An Opening Day rotation a signment would be rare, but thats a reflection of the Soxs lack of starting pitching depth. Non-roster invitee could also be an option. He has managed eight innings of one-run ball this spring, but he only has two strikeouts against four walks. Dylan Windler Jersey