Chicago's Danks to have exploratory surgery

John Danks is done for the season because of a left shoulder strain, and the Chicago White Sox starting pitcher is scheduled to have exploratory surgery Monday to find out what has caused the injury to linger for months.

The left-hander hasn't pitched in the majors since May 19. In nine starts this year, Danks is 3-4 with a 5.70 ERA. He's in the first year of a five-year contract.

''In the long run you find out what it is and take care of it,'' manager Robin Ventura said before Tuesday's game in Minnesota.

Ventura also questioned how much longer the White Sox could go this year hoping that Danks' shoulder gets better and he can help the club that started the day 1 1/2 games ahead of Detroit in the AL Central.

''To get him able and be ready to pitch at this level and be effective, and do all the things that he would feel confident going out there, time was getting a little short for that,'' Ventura said. ''With the way he was feeling and the timing of it, it's time to just go in and find out what it is and take care of it.''

''I'm disappointed for John,'' pitching coach Don Cooper said. ''When all of the questions are asked, `Is it that?' `Is it this?' what it comes down to we don't know and we got to go in and look. That's the last thing you want to do. ... But that's where we're at.''

Ventura also said that Chris Sale is likely to start next Tuesday against Kansas City. The dominant left-hander has thrown 124 innings in his first season as a starter, by far the most in his young career. Ventura indicated Sunday that Sale (12-3) could be battling fatigue.