RHP Andy Sonnanstine appears to be taking being optioned to Triple-A Durham in stride.
Sonnanstine, who lost his spot in the rotation last Friday when Scott Kazmir returned from the disabled list, made his first start for the Bulls Thursday, picking up a win in giving up just two runs in six innings.
Sonnanstine had acknowledged in spring training that despite his strong 2008 season, he’d have to fight to stay in the big leagues. And he is willing to work on his stuff in order to get back up.
“My initial reaction was that I was disappointed,” Sonnanstine said in a phone interview Friday. “But, as I said earlier, I’m more than willing to do whatever to get this organization winning. If that means me coming down here, that’s what needs to happen.”
Sonnanstine said he plans to use his time in the minors to sharpen his slider and work on throwing inside more effectively to right-handed hitters, who are hitting .370 against him this year.
“I can only control what I do,” he said. “I’m just going to keep working in between starts and work on the things I need to work on.”

- JOE SMITH

joesmith@sptimes.com