Sean Burke had just gotten out of the hot tub Sunday morning when first-year Chicago White Sox manager Will Venable called Burke, the former St. John’s High star pitcher from Sutton, into his office.

The Chicago White Sox named right-hander Sean Burke their opening-day starter on Sunday. Burke said he was “grateful, thankful for the opportunity.”

The 25-year-old righthander debuted last Sept. 10, and went 2-0 with a 1.42 ERA in three starts and one relief appearance for 121-loss Chicago.