White Sox pitching coach Don Cooper remained positive when talking about starter Jose Quintana, who struggled in his first start of the season Friday against Seattle, reports ESPN Saturday.
Quintana struggled over the second half of last season and appears to be bringing those struggles to this year as he couldn't retire any of the seven batters he faced in the fifth inning Friday. He got a no-decision, but allowed six runs -- five earned -- on eight hits and two walks over four frames against the Mariners.
However, Cooper was quick to remind how young the 24-year-old Quintana remains.
"There is a big difference from throwing 140 innings in the major leagues and 140 innings in the minor leagues. There’s no rest in the lineup," Cooper said.
While Quintana remains a work in progress, Cooper believes he'll turn the corner at some point.
"But listen, it’s his first full year in the major leagues and he has a challenge ahead of him," Cooper also warned. Quintana makes his next scheduled start Thursday at Washington.