What to do about Clayton Richard?

ANALYSIS — White Sox

It’s been a tough couple weeks for White Sox starter Clayton Richard. The left-hander gave up four runs in just 3 2/3 innings Sunday against the Royals, surrendering eights hits and striking out three.

Richard has given up at least three earned runs or more in six of his last seven starts. Sunday’s performance was the third in a row in which he gave up four runs. He’s only posted one win since May 29.

Richard will certainly be in the running to win Daily Goat honors every five days, though, if this performance persists.

All kidding aside, it’s pretty clear that Richard can’t hold his own, even as a fifth starter for the Sox. Posting wins isn’t the issue, but lasting less than five innings is. Four of his last six starts have been five innings or less. That’s an unacceptable figure for any major league pitcher, and if the White Sox had a better option, they’d certainly have gone that way already.

Bartolo Colon has been on the disabled list with left knee inflammation, but his return is anything but certain. He was 3-6 with a 4.26 ERA in 11 starts when he went down. Guillen had some thoughts on the subject this morning, which Scott Merkin relayed in his blog:

No report concerning the burly right-hander had made its way to Guillen. But with Guillen having made numerous previous comments concerning the team’s commitment to Clayton Richard as part of the starting rotation, it would seem as if Colon’s days are numbered on the South Side of Chicago.

“That’s going to be a tough call, a really tough call,” said Guillen of Colon, who is not viewed as a bullpen option. “That’s a decision we have to make, it’s not going to be an easy one, but that’s a decision we have to make.

“Who can help us the most? But in the meanwhile, Colon has to throw more breaking balls and see if he could go back-to-back. Then we will make that decision. Where he’s going to fit? We’ll figure out how we’re going to do it.”

With that in mind, it seems Richard is going to be getting the starts for the forseeable future. Unless, of course, general manager Ken Williams looks outside the organization to find some pitching help.

With less than a month remaining until the non-waiver trade deadline, Williams might once again open the search for a starter (assuming he hasn’t been doing that ever since Jake Peavy turned down the opportunity to pitch on the South Side). With a serviceable fifth starter, the White Sox could put up a good fight for the American League Central.

But if Williams were to go out and get a Peavy-like superstar, it’s hard to picture the Sox not taking down the division.

Guillen is stressing patience with Richard, but with the trade deadline nearing, decisions are going to have to be made. And soon.