Christian Petersen/Getty Images(NEW YORK) -- In what was supposed to be his first season as a full-time starting pitcher, Chicago White Sox pitcher Chris Sale was off to a great start in 2012. The 23-year old lefty is 3-1 so far with a 2.81 ERA. Despite those numbers, the team has decided to move him into the closer's role.

Sale reportedly was not happy with the decision but because of tenderness in his left elbow, it might be a move that pays off for the future.

"Chris is going to be fine," pitching coach Don Cooper told reporters. "He was upset. He wanted to continue to (start)."

"But again, sometimes we have to make decisions based on what we feel is best for that individual, and that's what we did."

Sale originally started his Major League career as a reliever. Last season he appeared in 55 games, striking out 79 batters in 71.0 innings with a 2.79 ERA.

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