CHICAGO – The White Sox have made it clear Chris Sale will pitch no more than one inning in Tuesday’s All-Star Game – all but eliminating him from starting for the American League.

But even that news couldn’t dampen Sale’s spirit. Told of Ventura and the Sox’s decision, Sale was still all smiles.

“Darn,” Sale joked. “I mean, it would be something that would be great but at the same time, I’m not going to sit here and complain about still being a part of the All-Star Game but not starting it. It’s still an honor to be there.”

Sale, a first-time All-Star, is most looking forward to Monday’s Home Run Derby that he’s watched religiously since he was a kid. Sale, 23, said he expects to feel out of place in a clubhouse littered with the game’s best and future Hall of Famers.

The numbers, however, suggest otherwise. Sale’s 2.19 ERA, 10 wins and .198 opponents’ batting average are second best in the AL, while he ranks in the top 10 in strikeouts and WHIP. Along with the Angels’ Jered Weaver, Detroit’s Justin Verlander and the Rangers’ Matt Harrison, Sale was certainly worthy of consideration to start the All-Star game, although he knew it was a long shot.

“It’s something that crossed my mind and I thought about a little bit,” Sale said of starting for the AL. “But at the end of the day, it’s just about being a part of the whole process and just having the opportunity to pitch in an All-Star Game is enough for me, to be honest with you.”

Humber’s rehab: Phil Humber is on track to rejoin the Sox after his second rehab start Friday for Triple-A Charlotte.

Humber has been sidelined on the disabled list since June 22 (retroactive to June 17) with a right elbow flexor strain, but he said his arm feels great after throwing 63 pitches (41 strikes) in the four-inning outing Friday.

Humber specifically worked on commanding his fastball and threw sliders for the first time since his injury. Although he doesn’t know what the next step with his rehab is, Humber’s itching to get back on the field. Manager Robin Ventura said Humber likely needs one more rehab start.

“This year it hasn’t been an endurance problem, it’s been more of having to make good enough pitches to go seven innings,” Humber said. “But hopefully when I get back that’s going to change. … I don’t know what the results are going to be, but I definitely feel like I’m throwing the ball a lot better.”

Quick hits: Ventura sat second baseman Gordon Beckham for Saturday’s game to give him rest and get Orlando Hudson into the lineup. … The Sox have a framework for how they will set up the rotation but it will not be determined before the All-Star break.