CHICAGO – White Sox pitcher John Danks is trying to stay positive as he deals with a shoulder injury that has relegated him to the bench.

Monday’s MRI results provide some solace for Danks after two tests revealed a mild Grade 1 strain of the subscapularis muscle in his left shoulder. The tests show Danks’ labrum is intact and no ligament or tendon damage.

On Friday, Danks will begin a rehab and strengthening program, and the Sox will continue to monitor his status in the coming weeks. Ideally, Danks will begin another rehab assignment in three to four weeks.

“There’s enough down time that you have to start looking at silver linings,” Danks said. “In a perfect world, none of this would have happened. I would have been having a good year and we would still be in first. But it is what it is. So hopefully I do come back and I can be the guy to help anchor the staff when these guys start running out of gas. The other four guys certainly picked me up before I got hurt.”

Danks’ prolonged absence puts pressure on struggling starters Gavin Floyd and Phil Humber.

“They want to do well too, and we want them to do well,” manager Robin Ventura said. “We’re just going to give them what they have, and the stuff they have it good enough. We’re counting on them to pick it up, just like everyone else.”

Relief help: A taxed bullpen gained an arm Tuesday when the Sox recalled right-hander Dylan Axelrod from Triple-A Charlotte.

The Sox optioned Zach Stewart to Charlotte after he gave up six runs in 5 2/3 innings during Monday’s loss to the Cubs. Because Stewart would not be available for a couple of days after throwing 90 pitches in his first start of the season, he became the odd man out with the Sox needing fresh arms in the bullpen.

“He’ll be the long guy, be in the bullpen,” Ventura said. “I think that’s, for right now, where he’ll be. Maybe a little bit down the road if something else happens [Axelrod] might be able to spot-start on occasion.”

Jones’ lesson: Armed with a 98 mph fastball, Sox reliever Nate Jones hasn’t run into much trouble during his rookie season – until Monday against the Cubs.

In the roughest outing of the year, Jones was lifted from the game without recording an out in the seventh inning after he allowed four runs on five hits. Jones, however, is already moving past it.

“You learn from the mistakes you made during that outing and you take from what you learn and use it to make you better,” Jones said. “The next outing out and for the rest of your career it’s always great learning something new and helpful down the road. It might not feel all that good when it’s happening, but it’s very helpful.”