WHITE SOX HEADLINES OF FEBRUARY 27, 2017 - MLB.commlb.mlb.com/.../HEADLINES_OF_FEBRUARY_27_iv1h3414.pdf · 2017-03-10 · WHITE SOX HEADLINES OF FEBRUARY 27, 2017 “Quintana eager

WHITE SOX HEADLINES OF FEBRUARY 27, 2017 “Quintana eager to face USA, teammates in Classic” … Scott Merkin, MLB.com “Frazier rewarded for design work on Glove Day” … Scott Merkin, MLB.com “Fulmer looks to keep learning throughout spring” …Scott Merkin, MLB.com “White Sox trio nursing injuries as spring play begins” … Scott Merkin, MLB.com “Collins, Moncada make Sox debuts in Cactus opener” … Scott Merkin, MLB.com “Fulmer's strong start highlights Cactus opener” … Ken Gurnick, MLB.com “Rodon 'all good' as he eases into spring action” … Scott Merkin, MLB.com “Family support helps Gonzalez tune for Classic” … Scott Merkin, MLB.com “White Sox motivated to emulate Cubs' success” … Scott Merkin, MLB.com “Asche gets White Sox started in Quintana's debut” … Scott Merkin, MLB.com “Buehrle 'blown away' by having number retired” … Scott Merkin, MLB.com “Mark Buehrle ‘Floored’ White Sox will Retire His Number” … Dan Hayes, CSN Chicago “Alterations Have White Sox Prospect Carson Fulmer Comfortable, ‘In the Moment’” … Dan Hayes, CSN Chicago “Collins, Moncada Play as Whites Sox Fall to Dodgers” … Dan Hayes, CSN Chicago “Discomfort Sidelines White Sox Infielder Brett Lawrie” … Dan Hayes, CSN Chicago “White Sox: Happy with Progress, Brett Lawrie Tries to Clear Final Hurdles” … Dan Hayes, CSN Chicago “Jim Thome: Getting into Baseball Hall of Fame would be Indescribable” … Dan Hayes, CSN Chicago “White Sox Pitchers Headed for World Baseball Classic Look Sharp in Win Over Rockies” … Dan Hayes, CSN Chicago “Not made for TV, hot prospect Lucas Giolito forges own path to White Sox” … Colleen Kane, Chicago Tribune “Saturday's recap: Dodgers 5, White Sox 3”… Colleen Kane, Chicago Tribune “Tim Anderson first up in White Sox's search for leadoff hitter” … Colleen Kane, Chicago Tribune “Jake Petricka, Zach Putnam out to reclaim bullpen roles after surgery” … Colleen Kane, Chicago Tribune “Tyler Saladino battling for a job in crowded White Sox infield” … Colleen Kane, Chicago Tribune “Sunday's recap: White Sox 7, Rockies 3” … Colleen Kane , Chicago Tribune “Melky 'Melk Man' Cabrera delivers humor, leadership for rebuilding White Sox” … David Haugh, Chicago Tribune “Miguel Gonzalez at home with White Sox after late arrival in 2016” … Colleen Kane , Chicago Tribune “Buehrle ‘blown away’ by White Sox honor” … Daryl Van Schouwen, Chicago Sun-Times “Brett Lawrie latest White Sox to go on shelf” … Daryl Van Schouwen, Chicago Sun-Times “Davidson positioned for better results in 2017” … Daryl Van Schouwen, Chicago Sun-Times “White Sox fall to Dodgers in Cactus League opener” … Daryl Van Schouwen, Chicago Sun-Times “Carlos Rodon continues at slow, steady pace” … Daryl Van Schouwen, Chicago Sun-Times “Fun and bonding in White Sox clubhouse” … Daryl Van Schouwen, Chicago Sun-Times “White Sox tip Rockies 7-3 for first Cactus League victory” … Daryl Van Schouwen, Chicago Sun-Times “Under Renteria, White Sox Working Hard to be Fundamentally Sound” … Scot Gregor, Daily Herald

Quintana eager to face USA, teammates in Classic By Scott Merkin / MLB.com | February 24, 2017 GLENDALE, Ariz. -- Colombia's starting pitcher against Team USA on March 10 during Miami's first-round pool play of the 2017 World Baseball Classic will look very familiar to White Sox fans.

"Yeah, it's really exciting. I'm happy to be part of this tournament the first time for Colombia," said White Sox ace Jose Quintana, who will get the call for Colombia, as he should on April 3 at home against the Tigers for the White Sox Opening Day. "That's an honor to have the first game. "Everybody in Colombia is excited when this opportunity was there. And it's a huge tournament." Quintana should get two Cactus League starts before he leaves Arizona on March 6 for the competition, during which he will face White Sox teammates Nate Jones and David Robertson, who are on Team USA. "You know all the time they play with me on the same team," a smiling Quintana said. "But I think it's fun too, because it's a good opportunity for us to be part of this tournament: them for the U.S. and me for Colombia." Rodon still throwing White Sox manager Rick Renteria corrected himself in stating that Carlos Rodon played long toss Thursday and not Friday. Rodon will go through long toss again on Saturday. "We're going to give him a few more sessions of those and see where he's at," Renteria said. "I think we still have two more long-toss sessions before we get him out there. It's such a long spring, that for us and him it's the right time. "I'm sure [White Sox pitching coach Don Cooper] will set something up to get him comfortable. But when he gets on the hill and starts on the sides, he's in really good shape." Sign on the dotted line The White Sox agreed to terms on 2017 contracts with the following 25 players: Pitchers (12): Chris Beck, Dylan Covey, Tyler Danish, Carson Fulmer, Lucas Giolito, Brad Goldberg, Tommy Kahnle, Reynaldo Lopez, Juan Minaya, Rodon, Giovanni Soto and Michael Ynoa. Catchers (2): Omar Narvaez and Alfredo Gonzalez. Infielders (6): Tim Anderson, Matt Davidson, Leury Garcia, Yoan Moncada, Tyler Saladino and Yolmer Sanchez. Outfielders (5): Adam Engel, Willy Garcia, Rymer Liriano, Jacob May and Charlie Tilson. Rodon had the top contract of the group at $600,000. With the signings, all members of the White Sox 40-man roster are under contract for the 2017 season. Third to first Todd Frazier continues to improve from a left oblique strain suffered this past Monday on a swing.

Frazier rewarded for design work on Glove Day By Scott Merkin / MLB.com | February 24, 2017 GLENDALE, Ariz. -- Todd Frazier has two All-Star Game appearances, a Home Run Derby title and 40 home runs in a season to highlight his impressive Major League Baseball resume. The phrase "glove designer" can be added to that list as well. Frazier stopped into the Wilson headquarters in Chicago during the offseason and worked with Shigeaki Aso, Wilson's glove guru, and Ryan Smith, the product line manager, to come up with the A2000 TDFTHR GM. The name comes from Frazier's nickname, The Toddfather, and his hand-crafted glove design -- along with those of Robinson Cano, Clayton Kershaw, Mookie Betts, Dustin Pedroia and Brandon Phillips -- is available to fans alongside the rest of Wilson's pro stock models.

The planning session took about 90 minutes on a quick Chicago visit, with Frazier picking up the finished product early Friday morning during White Sox Glove Day outside the home clubhouse at Camelback Ranch. "It's my own now," a smiling Frazier said of his A2000 12¼ with a dual post web. "We have made some designs to kind of get something a little different but this is the one we came up with here. It's pretty cool. "I got a lot of help from the Wilson staff making my own. As you can see, it came out perfect." A logo on Frazier's glove features him holding up the mock WWE championship belt after winning the 2015 Gillette Home Run Derby. It still could change, but that idea came straight from Frazier. Eighteen White Sox players picked up their gloves Friday. Shortstop Tim Anderson elected to have his soon-to-be 1-year-old daughter's first and middle names, Peyton Kensleigh, placed on his glove with his jersey number, 7, next to it. "That kind of keeps me motivated, putting her name there," Anderson said. Anderson praised the tight-feeling pocket on the glove, adding that it fits his hand. Highly-touted pitching prospect Carson Fulmer went with the blonde color featuring black accents, giving a collegiate look back to his Vanderbilt days. "You wear that the most besides your cleats and your uniform," said Fulmer of his glove's importance. "It's definitely special for us. You have to hide the ball. Guys like to go with a little bigger glove or something that is going to hide a little better. You definitely have to feel comfortable." Fellow pitching prospect Zack Burdi went somewhat simple, adding a personal touch with a cross to the Kershaw model. He picked Wilson because of "how comfortable it was." "But a glove is a glove," said Burdi with a laugh. "You either can pitch or you can't." Yoan Moncada's glove still featured Red Sox colors but will be changed for his new locale. Frazier went with the silver-and-black White Sox colors, adding a little red on the logo for the team's Sunday home uniforms. "Nobody else can say they have this glove. It's for me," a proud Frazier said. "We worked hard, about an hour and a half to figure this out, and it's unique. It's something I'll remember for the rest of my life, and hopefully make more designs."

Fulmer looks to keep learning throughout spring By Scott Merkin / MLB.com | February 25, 2017 GLENDALE, Ariz. -- White Sox starter Carson Fulmer didn't mind the two-out walk issued to Justin Turner, followed by Yasmani Grandal's single in the first inning of Los Angeles' 5-3 victory Saturday at Camelback Ranch. It was a Cactus League-opening challenge adeptly handled by Fulmer, the club's No. 5 prospect, per MLBPipeline.com. "The first time out in a while, come back here and you just try to get through that first inning. It was good," Fulmer said after throwing two scoreless innings. "I feel like I did a good job of minimizing the situation. Guy on first and second, two-out walk and being able to keep it there." Fulmer struck out three, mixing in a few changeups and curveballs, while establishing his fastball and cutter for strikes. He finished strong at Triple-A Charlotte last season, yielding one run over his last 15

innings pitched after making some changes under the tutelage of then-Charlotte pitching coach Richard Dotson. Saturday's debut illustrated to Fulmer that he picked up where he left off, with special attention paid to his first-inning escape. "If you want to pitch for a long time, and continue to pitch deep into games, then you have to make a pitch when you need to. And for me to be able to do that in my first inning, it's really positive," Fulmer said. "It feels really good, especially when you are facing that lineup. "Anybody can hurt you there, even if it is Spring Training. That's where I am right now. I had the experience last year in the big leagues and Triple-A, and I was able to minimize the situation." Anderson likes setting the tone Hitting leadoff doesn't appear to be the likely offensive role for Tim Anderson, who held that spot in Saturday's Cactus League opener. But the talented shortstop won't shy away from the opportunity. "I'm trying to see a few pitches," Anderson said. "But it's just foremost, go out and just have fun first, and just get the bugs out and have fun with it. Go out and compete." Anderson, who had a .306 on-base percentage last season, is trying to cut down on strikeouts, after fanning 117 times against 13 walks. "I definitely want to cut down my strikeouts," Anderson said. "Just be able to set the tone in the right way, and lead this team in the right way. Do whatever I can to help this team in putting us in the best position to win a ballgame."

White Sox trio nursing injuries as spring play begins Tilson, Frazier, Lawrie sidelined for Cactus opener By Scott Merkin / MLB.com | February 25, 2017

GLENDALE, Ariz. -- Charlie Tilson looked to have the edge to start for the White Sox in center field as Spring Training began. Todd Frazier stood as the incumbent at third base, and Brett Lawrie certainly was in the mix at second. That has slightly changed due to injuries, although none of them are considered to be serious. Tilson has been rehabbing from season-ending surgery to repair a torn left hamstring last August. He suffered a stress reaction in his right foot at the outset of camp -- a minor setback he expected as part of the recovery process -- and continues to make gradual progress with the latest malady. Frazier has been sidelined by a strained left oblique. White Sox manager Rick Renteria mentioned something didn't feel right with Lawrie's left leg when the infielder woke up Saturday. It's the same leg that was injured last season, not allowing Lawrie to play after July 21. "We're going to reevaluate him tomorrow and see where he's at," Renteria said of Lawrie. "He didn't feel quite right, and so he was in there earlier [Saturday] getting treatment. We'll make a determination where we're at in terms of trying to set some parameters for how we move forward." So, how do these injuries affect the White Sox roster? It's certainly too early to gauge the severity of any of the three. Tilson hopes to be swinging the bat in the next week, while Frazier is targeting Monday to begin more baseball activity.

"It's a really good sign," Frazier said. "I've had some pains in there, but it's always like a little heat and ice and stuff. But they say sometimes you need to take a little more time to get what you need. I'm just listening to what they want me to do. It has been feeling better." "I feel like I'm definitely moving in the right direction. Still kind of taking things slow," Tilson said. "It's a good energy here, and I feel like I'm getting better. I just can't wait to be a part of it." If the worst-case, short-term scenario plays out for Tilson, and he starts the upcoming season on the disabled list, then Peter Bourjos should be the team's starting center fielder on Opening Day. That move also could open a bench spot for Leury Garcia, who can play both infield and center. "He's a hybrid," Renteria said of Garcia. "He's really an excellent center fielder from what we've seen, from reports and talking to other coaches. I've seen him now for a second year. This year, he's more polished defensively." Matt Davidson started at third base for Frazier in Saturday's Cactus League opener, while Yolmer Sanchez got the nod at second, with Tyler Saladino also firmly in the mix.

Collins, Moncada make Sox debuts in Cactus opener By Scott Merkin / MLB.com | February 25, 2017 GLENDALE, Ariz. -- Zack Collins and Yoan Moncada have played at Camelback Ranch before, as recently as this past November during the Arizona Fall League season. But Saturday's appearance in the White Sox Cactus League opener, a 5-3 loss to the Dodgers, held a special meaning for this pair of top prospects. "To be able to go out there on the first day was an honor to me," Collins said. "A little jittery, but very excited to play. It was fun." Both Collins and Moncada entered the game in the bottom of the fifth inning. Collins, the club's No. 6 prospect per MLBPipeline.com, grounded out to first during his first at-bat. In the ninth inning, against southpaw Edward Paredes, the left-handed-hitting Collins worked the count to 3-1 before dropping a single into right-center. "He had good stuff," Collins said. "Just missed his spot a couple times, got behind in the count and I was fortunate to bloop one in there. It felt good to get that first hit." Moncada, the No. 2 overall prospect in the Majors, grounded out to second in his first at-bat, and then took a called third strike from Paredes in the ninth. Collins and Moncada hit consecutively after entering the game. It's just one game, but judging by the social media reaction on Saturday to this duo's appearance, fans are ready to take in anything they can from this young core. "Everyone is just working hard to get as good as they can," Collins said. "Whatever happens, happens in the end, whether it's going to [Class A] or the big leagues -- it doesn't matter. We're just trying to get as good as we can, and play away. "I'm the new guy. It's my first year, and the first game played and I get to play. It's definitely an honor."

Fulmer's strong start highlights Cactus opener Ken Gurnick / MLB.com | February 25, 2017 PHOENIX -- Clayton Kershaw looked like himself in the Dodgers' 5-3 win over the White Sox in the Cactus League opener on Saturday at Camelback Ranch.

Kershaw tossed a 12-pitch, 1-2-3 inning, with a strikeout. He then left the game and threw an additional 17 pitches, continuing to show no ill effects from the herniated disk that sidelined him for more than two months last season. "It's always nice to see him out there competing," Dodgers manager Dave Roberts said. "To play a clean game, get our pitchers innings, it was a good start for us." White Sox starter Carson Fulmer pitched two scoreless innings, striking out three. "Second inning, I felt really, really good," Fulmer said. "I felt comfortable. I felt right where I left off last year. I got the first one under my belt, and I feel like it's going to be a very positive Spring Training." The White Sox scored twice off Alex Wood in the second inning, cashing in singles by Matt Davidson and Avisail Garcia with an RBI groundout by Geovany Soto and a sacrifice fly liner from Yolmer Sanchez. "He gave up some hits, but I thought he was good today," Roberts said of Wood. After Fulmer's two scoreless innings, the Dodgers took the lead with a three-run third inning off Chris Beck, which included doubles by new second baseman Logan Forsythe and Yasmani Grandal, a single by Justin Turner and an RBI grounder from Franklin Gutierrez. Chicago tied the game at 3 in the fourth on an RBI single by Sanchez off Dodgers reliever Josh Ravin. Brett Eibner, obtained in a trade with Oakland for Jordan Tarsovich, homered off reliever Giovanni Soto in the sixth inning to put the Dodgers ahead, 4-3. Eibner is a longshot to make the club because of a surplus of outfielders. The Dodgers scored an insurance run in the seventh when Scott Van Slyke hit an RBI single off Sox right-hander Spencer Adams. White Sox up next: The White Sox play their home opener on Sunday, although it will be their second straight game at Camelback Ranch. Jose Quintana gets the start against the Rockies, beginning at 2:05 p.m. CT, with the game being shown on an exclusive webcast on whitesox.com. Quintana hopes to make two Cactus League starts before departing for the World Baseball Classic and pitching for Colombia. Dodgers up next: The Dodgers play their first road game on Sunday in Maryvale against the Brewers at noon PT on MLB.TV with Rich Hill making his first start and scheduled to pitch two innings. Regulars Grandal, Corey Seager, Forsythe, Joc Pederson and Yasiel Puig will not make the trip. Ross Stripling is also scheduled to pitch.

Rodon 'all good' as he eases into spring action Lawrie working out 'end little kinks' before playing Scott Merkin / MLB.com | February 26, 2017 GLENDALE, Ariz. -- Carlos Rodon has yet to throw off the mound during Spring Training. He has been engaging in long toss, but doesn't throw the ball to first base during pitchers' fielding practice. The left-hander understands those who think the above scenario stands as a red flag indicating a potential early injury or soreness. But with a wry smile, Rodon reassured everyone this slow start is all part of the plan to gradually work him into Spring Training. "No, we're good. We're all good. You guys have nothing to worry about," Rodon said. "I'm not worried so you guys shouldn't be worried, either. "You guys should all sleep better tonight. I know you guys have been struggling on sleep, so get some good sleep tonight."

All kidding aside, Rodon understands the gradual approach simply is aimed at maximizing his regular-season innings total and starts during the 2017 campaign. He figures to be on the mound sometime in the next week. "I'm sure I'll face a couple of our hitters before I get into a game. We're in no rush. We have time," Rodon said. "Just trying to get it stretched out more. Should be good." Lawrie remains sidelined Muscle discomfort in his lower body continues to keep White Sox second baseman Brett Lawrie out of action. Leury Garcia started at second during Sunday's 7-3 victory over the Rockies, while Yolmer Sanchez got the nod Saturday. Tyler Saladino, strongly in the mix at second, started at shortstop in Game 2 of the Cactus League ledger. "It's just the end little kinks, just trying to get these out. That's all," said Lawrie, adding that he feels OK. "I want to be right where I want to be in order to get out on the field. "This last part has just been tough but I'm continuing to push through and I want to be out on the field and be 100 percent and just have to worry about baseball and not have to worry about this. Before I get out there, I just want to make sure that everything is cleared up." Lawrie did not play after July 21 last season due to a left leg injury. The veteran talked about orthotics throwing off his alignment as a root cause for the ailment. Third to first • Todd Frazier, who has been sidelined by a left oblique strain, will begin swinging again Monday. • Zack Burdi, the 26th pick overall in the 2016 MLB Draft, made his Cactus League debut Sunday. He pitched a perfect ninth in the victory.

Family support helps Gonzalez tune for Classic Quintana, Robertson, Jones also pitch in preparation for international stage Scott Merkin / MLB.com | February 26, 2017 GLENDALE, Ariz. -- Miguel Gonzalez pitched in front of 12 family members during his scoreless two innings in a 7-3 White Sox victory over the Rockies on Sunday at Camelback Ranch. But when Gonzalez takes the mound for Mexico as part of the upcoming World Baseball Classic pool play in Jalisco, Mexico, Sunday's total of 12 will seem small when talking about his support system. "I'm excited. It's something new for me," Gonzalez said. "I didn't get to do it in 2013, and to represent Mexico, your country, it's going to be exciting." Four White Sox pitchers from big league camp who are committed to play in the World Baseball Classic worked during Sunday's contest. Jose Quintana pitched the first two innings, followed by Gonzalez and relievers David Robertson and Nate Jones. Appearing in the second game of Cactus League play rates a little early for Robertson's Spring Training plan. But it's all part of getting ready for international competition with Team USA. "Typically I don't pitch in these games until March just because I feel like we have so many," Robertson said. "As a reliever you only need a handful of outings to get it ready for the season. Because if you can figure it out in five or six outings, well ...

"I'm excited. I'm going to go down there and put the 'USA' across my chest and have a chance to win something for our country. It's going to be a lot of fun and I'm excited to play with a group of guys I've been playing against my whole life." Gonzalez's family made the trip from California to watch him strike out one Sunday. The right-hander had the chance to show his grandfather around the clubhouse before the game, marking the first time his grandfather has ever been in a clubhouse. There will be a chance for Gonzalez to interact with even more family in about 10 days. "Obviously the family, I get to see my family," Gonzalez said. "I don't get to see them all the time, and now I have an opportunity. That's the most important thing for me, family and my friends I'm going to be able to see again." The World Baseball Classic runs from March 6-22. In the U.S., games will air live exclusively in English on MLB Network and on an authenticated basis via MLBNetwork.com/watch, while ESPN Deportes and WatchESPN will provide the exclusive Spanish-language coverage. MLB.TV Premium subscribers in the U.S. will have access to watch every tournament game live on any of the streaming service's 400-plus supported devices. Internationally, the tournament will be distributed across all forms of television, internet, mobile and radio in territories excluding the U.S., Puerto Rico and Japan. Get tickets for games at Marlins Park, Tokyo Dome, Gocheok Sky Dome in Seoul, Estadio Charros de Jalisco in Mexico, Petco Park, as well as the Championship Round at Dodger Stadium, while complete coverage -- including schedules, video, stats and gear -- is available at WorldBaseballClassic.com.

White Sox motivated to emulate Cubs' success Scott Merkin / MLB.com | February 26, 2017 GLENDALE, Ariz. -- The White Sox want to be where the Cubs currently reside. No, not Mesa, the locale of Monday afternoon's Cactus League contest between Chicago's two baseball teams. Nor do they want to move Guaranteed Rate Field over to 1060 W. Addison. It's the Cubs' location atop the baseball world, completing their first World Series championship since 1908, garnering the attention of the White Sox as they undergo their rebuild. "Having pretty deep roots in the town, I get it," White Sox general manager Rick Hahn said. "It's our duty to get this organization where the Cubs are at right now so our fans can enjoy what their fans had the privilege of enjoying last year." "From the outside looking in, you are just, 'Man, we wish that was us,' obviously," said White Sox reliever Nate Jones, who has the longest White Sox tenure of any player on their active roster. "That's what our goal is and that's what we are working toward. So when they win, you just got to tip your cap to them and work even harder the next year to try to make it us." Hahn got away to Arizona for instructional league and Fall League action during the early part of the postseason. He eventually watched postseason baseball primarily because his two sons were interested. He quipped about not wanting to "sour their world by telling them they can't watch the World Series because Daddy is just bitter." But that self-proclaimed bitterness centers on the White Sox coming up short in the regular season as opposed to the Cubs' success. Hahn doesn't believe a true, deep rivalry exists between the two organizations. "There's certainly no issue between our two clubs given how little we play each other," Hahn said. "I do think and I completely understand, especially given where I live, the fan bases feel it, and when I remove my executive hat, I get it and feel it.

"Look, they are where we want to be. Just as we were at one point -- I enjoyed that better. But anything they do doesn't really influence what we do and their success doesn't really affect our ability to succeed at all. I don't view it as a rivalry but I get the emotion that's attached to it from the fan level." Jones respectfully disagrees with his boss. The hard-throwing but low-key right-hander produced humorous incredulousness when asked if there was a rivalry between the two sides, pointing out playing the Cubs means a little more because both teams want to be the best in the city. The excitement level certainly rises in those contests. In '16, the Cubs were the best in baseball. But when that last out was recorded by Mike Montgomery, it didn't resonate with the White Sox any deeper than work needed to be done. "It was: The offseason has officially begun," said Hahn of his reaction. "That was absolutely great for the city of Chicago," Jones said. "Obviously from the outside looking in, we want it to be our turn. We don't want to be watching it. We want to be playing in it. We are working on building that success and sustaining that success."

Asche gets White Sox started in Quintana's debut Scott Merkin / MLB.com | February 26, 2017 GLENDALE, Ariz. -- The White Sox claimed a 7-3 victory over the Rockies on Sunday at Camelback Ranch in a game featuring key moments from players competing for roster spots on their respective teams. German Marquez started for the Rockies and pitched two scoreless innings while allowing two hits. The No. 73 prospect in MLBPipeline.com's Top 100 is competing for a spot in Colorado's rotation. Pat Valaika, fighting for a utility spot, homered off White Sox starter Jose Quintana in the second. Quintana, who lines up as the White Sox Opening Day starter, gave up the one run in two innings while striking out two. First baseman Cody Asche, a non-roster invitee for the White Sox who is in the mix for the last position-player spot, doubled home Tyler Saladino for the first White Sox run of the game. Miguel Gonzalez hurled two scoreless innings in a rare relief appearance, entering in the third after Quintana. Closer David Robertson also pitched a scoreless inning for the White Sox. Rockies top prospect Brendan Rodgers doubled and scored a run in the eighth. Rockies Up Next: Righty Jon Gray, who set a club rookie record with 185 strikeouts last season, will start against the Dodgers at Glendale on Monday at 1:05 p.m. MT. He will be followed by righty Jeff Hoffman, who is competing for an open starting rotation spot. White Sox Up Next: Lucas Giolito makes his White Sox debut Monday, as the right-hander goes against the World Series champion Cubs in Mesa with a 2:05 CT first pitch. This contest marks the first of two Cactus League matchups between the crosstown rivals, as the Cubs and White Sox meet up again on March 17 in Glendale. Dan Jennings and Tommy Kahnle also are scheduled to throw.

Buehrle 'blown away' by having number retired By Scott Merkin / MLB.com | February 24, 2017 GLENDALE, Ariz. -- Mark Buehrle took part in an almost eight-minute conference call Friday morning to discuss the White Sox honoring the left-hander with his No. 56 jersey being retired on June 24 prior to a home game with Oakland. When apprised of the length of Friday's call, Buehrle laughed and added it's about 7 minutes, 30 seconds longer than his speech will be in June.

"I told my son we get to go out on the field and daddy has to give a speech and he's like, 'What do I get to do?'" Buehrle said. "And I said, 'Sit there and watch.' He said, 'If I'm down there, I'd rather give the speech,' and I'm like, 'Well, have at it.'" Although he was one of the most quotable players during his 12 years with the White Sox, Buehrle never counted public speaking high among his list of likes or hobbies. He's honored to be the 12th player to have his number retired by the organization, but as White Sox executive vice president Ken Williams pointed out, Buehrle's speech will be the most succinct and direct of any in this category. "It's hard to wrap your head around," Buehrle said. "Obviously they called me a month or so ago and told me they thought about doing this and I was blown away and floored by it. It's obviously a great honor. It's something you don't really intend to happen or you don't play for that reason. "You just go out there and play. I had a long, successful career there in Chicago. I just tried to do everything right and that's how I was kind of raised and how I went about it. [White Sox chairman] Jerry [Reinsdorf] is kind enough to come with this offer about retiring my jersey. I really don't know. "I've been joking around with friends, saying my jersey is going to be up there next to Frank Thomas," Buehrle said. "I grew up watching this guy, it doesn't seem right. It doesn't seem like it belongs up there next to his." Buehrle has loved being at home in Missouri with his wife, Jamie, his kids, Braden and Brooklyn, and their dogs over the past year during the first stage of a retirement that was never officially announced. The southpaw really made up his mind three years ago and after sneaking in as what he described as an unknown, he wanted to exit in the same way following 214 victories, 493 starts and 33 complete games. If not for an illness involving one of the family's dogs, Buehrle would have been part of this current White Sox Spring Training for a brief period per Williams' request. Instead, his next reunion with the organization figures to be on this special weekend. "I'm going to be up there with all those numbers and it doesn't seem right, like that's where I belong," Buehrle said. "I just did what I was supposed to do, had fun with it and lived every day like it was my last."

Mark Buehrle ‘Floored’ White Sox will Retire His Number By Dan Hayes / CSN Chicago | February 24, 2017 GLENDALE, Ariz. — He's a little nervous now that he has a speech to make, but Mark Buehrle is enjoying life and has no regrets about retiring from baseball. Addressing the media for the first time since his final game on Oct. 4, 2015, Buehrle said Friday he's right where he wants to be — at home with his family. Buehrle determined 3-4 years ago he would retire after his contract expired to spend more time with his wife and kids. The pitcher, who will have his number 56 retired by the White Sox on June 24, said he didn't announce his decision to step away because he hoped to do so with much fanfare. "I knew I was done, that I didn't have the drive any more," Buehrle said on a conference call. "I think a big part of it was missing the family, they weren't up in Toronto the whole season and I think that just kind of drained on me. The reason I didn't say anything — I didn't want all the attention. I've always told people I was a young guy that came into the big leagues unknown. Kind of snuck into the big leagues and I wanted to kind of sneak my way out. That's why I haven't said anything, I haven't talked to anybody, I just kind of let it go. Hopefully one day it was just kind of got forgotten and five years down the road, ‘Where's that Buehrle guy? Is he still around?'"

Buehrle, who won 161 games and completed 200 innings in 11 straight seasons with the White Sox, has spent the past year-plus on his Missouri farm with his wife, Jamie, and two children, "doing what I've been wanting to do for 20 years," he said. While he misses teammates and life in the clubhouse, Buehrle is at peace with his decision to retire after 16 seasons. He discovered when watching games last season that he didn't miss playing as much as he expected. Buehrle joked that he doesn't want many former teammates to attend the ceremony because it means he'd have to speak in front of a larger audience. He promises to keep his speech brief, similar to the way he pitched. The left-hander even joked that he offered to allow his son to make the speech in his stead. Even though he's one of the most popular players in club history, Buehrle was surprised last month when the White Sox informed him of their plans. He'll be the 12th player to have his number retired by the White Sox. "I was blown away and floored by it," Buehrle said. "It's obviously a great honor. It's something you don't really intend to happen or you don't play for that reason. You just go out there and play. I had a long, successful career there in Chicago. I just tried to do everything right and that's how I was kind of raised and how I went about it. Jerry (Reinsdorf) is kind enough to come with this offer about retiring my jersey. I really don't know. "I've been joking around with friends saying my jersey is going to be up there next to Frank Thomas. I grew up watching this guy. It doesn't seem right. It doesn't seem like it belongs up there next to his. "I'm going to be up there with all those numbers and it doesn't seem right, like that's where I belong. I just did what I was supposed to do, had fun with it and lived every day like it was my last. Now my number is going to be up there. I haven't really soaked everything in. It just doesn't make sense right now."

Alterations Have White Sox Prospect Carson Fulmer Comfortable, ‘In the Moment’ By Dan Hayes / CSN Chicago | February 25, 2017 GLENDALE, Ariz. — Carson Fulmer decided to make several "life-changing" alterations after the White Sox sent him to Triple-A Charlotte last season. Tired of struggling, the rookie right-hander had a long discussion with Richard Dotson, who has since been promoted from Triple-A pitching coach to the organization's pitching coordinator. Fulmer — who pitched two scoreless innings in Saturday's exhibition opening 5-3 loss to the Los Angeles Dodgers — said he didn't make any drastic changes. But the fixes he and Dotson decided to test have since led to Fulmer feeling comfortable and confident. "Afternoon game, I got kicked around (after) I got sent down from the big leagues," Fulmer said. "I needed to take a deep breath and adjust some things and Dot was willing to take me aside and talk to me. "First thing he said to me made a lot of sense and I feel like from that point on, I feel it's really able to help me stay in the moment, even putting mechanics aside. It was one of those things where he had success and I want to have success and you have to trust people like that to get where you want. I tell him all the time what he did. But more importantly I feel really comfortable and just have to move on." Fulmer spent 33 days in the big leagues, pitching eight times in relief before he was demoted to Triple-A on Aug. 16. Three days later, he allowed six earned runs, five hits and two walks while recording only three outs against the Gwinnett Braves. The performance came on the heels of Fulmer allowing 11 earned runs in his final six appearances in the big leagues. At that point he turned to Dotson, a 22-game winner in 1983 who spent 12 seasons in the big leagues. Rather than finding a player hurt by his struggles, Dotson found one motivated to improve.

"He was ready," Dotson said. "He hadn't been tainted by the game or by what you think it should be or what you think you are. He's a good kid. He's down to earth. He's going to talk. He's going to listen. And he gives you the respect of doing that, which is a big thing." The suggestions were simple -- Fulmer needed to be more fluid in his delivery. He also needs to stand taller to allow him to throw with more angle on his pitches as his fastball too often was flat. The message resonated and Fulmer began to apply it with immediate success. Over his final three starts of the season, Fulmer allowed a run, nine hits and walked three with 15 strikeouts in 14 innings. The 2015 first-rounder -- the No. 5 prospect in the organization -- feels like the changes have carried over to this spring. He's been able to stay on top of the ball and keep it low in the zone. On Saturday, that translated to three strikeouts after Fulmer worked out of trouble in the first inning. Fulmer threw strikes on 22 of 34 pitches. "The coaching staff has told us young guys that in order to be a good pitcher in the big leagues, you have to have failure at one point," Fulmer said. "Last year for me I had some struggles. I needed to learn more about myself and my ability. I got kicked around a little bit and I think that's beneficial for me. It definitely helped me prepare myself for this year and really get ready to have a good year. It's a new year. I have high expectations for myself and really looking forward to having the opportunity to prove myself once again." Dotson is impressed with how Fulmer has conducted himself. And he's eager to see how the changes work over the long haul. "It says a lot because we're all going to go through it, we're all going to have those times," Dotson said. "We go through that stuff. The quicker we get out of it the better. But it's part of the deal and it's an easy game, but it ain't that easy. A lot of times it gets in your head. I'm looking forward to him going out and showing what he can do and to improve on that."

Collins, Moncada Play as Whites Sox Fall to Dodgers By Dan Hayes / CSN Chicago | February 25, 2017 GLENDALE, Ariz. — Manager Rick Renteria promised before Saturday's game the prospects would play and they certainly did. White Sox prospects Zack Collins and Yoan Moncada both entered in the fifth inning of Saturday's 5-3 loss to the Los Angeles Dodgers at Camelback Ranch. Collins singled in two at-bats while Moncada, the centerpiece in the Chris Sale trade, went 0-for-2. "It was fun," Collins said. "To be able to go out there on the first day was an honor to me. A little jittery, but very excited to play. "I'm the new guy, it's my first year and the first game played and I get to play. It's definitely an honor." It's a distinction that will be shared by many, Renteria said. With the White Sox focused on player development and a longer spring schedule, the prospects should get a long look. Given the club's top eight prospects — according to MLB.com — are in big league camp, many will see significant playing time early in camp. "We've got a long spring and a lot of opportunities," Renteria said. "You're going to see a lot of our kids." Reliever Zack Burdi, the 26th overall pick of last June's draft, is scheduled to appear in Sunday's game when the White Sox host the Rockies. The White Sox also tentatively have listed Michael Kopech and Reynaldo Lopez as the starting pitchers for their split-squad doubleheader on Tuesday.

Collins took advantage of his first chance with a ninth-inning single off Dodgers pitcher Edward Paredes. Next up for the 2016 first-rounder is a report Monday for his teammates as part of Renteria's morning meetings. "I have my little presentation going," Collins said. "I'll probably be more nervous than I will playing."

Discomfort Sidelines White Sox Infielder Brett Lawrie By Dan Hayes / CSN Chicago | February 25, 2017 GLENDALE, Ariz. — The White Sox held Brett Lawrie out Saturday after he reported discomfort in the same left leg that sidelined him for the final 2 1/2 months of 2016. The second baseman has been a full participant the entire spring until he informed manager Rick Renteria what he was experiencing Saturday. "We're going to reevaluate him tomorrow and see where he's at," Renteria said. "He didn't feel quite right, and so he was in there earlier today getting treatment. We'll reevaluate tomorrow and make a determination where we're at in terms of trying to set some parameters for how we move forward." A confusing, tricky series of injuries that Lawrie blamed on wearing orthotics limited him to 94 games last season. He hit the disabled list on July 22 and didn't discover the cause until after the season ended. But Lawrie reported to camp feeling healthy once again and has participated at 100 percent until this point, Renteria said. "It's been good," Renteria said. "Everything has been clean. There have been no notifications anything had been amiss. He just woke up this morning and felt it. So we're going to be very cautious, take it a day at a time, reevaluate it and see where we're at."

White Sox: Happy with Progress, Brett Lawrie Tries to Clear Final Hurdles By Dan Hayes / CSN Chicago | February 26, 2017 GLENDALE, Ariz. -- Brett Lawrie isn't sore, he's just not yet correctly aligned. Until that happens, the White Sox second baseman doesn't want to risk playing at full speed, which for him is nearly the equivalent of hyperdrive on the Millennium Falcon. Lawrie said Sunday he has been pleased with the progress made in returning from a series of leg injuries that wiped out the final 2 1/2 months of last season. But he also isn't quite ready and doesn't want to risk re-injuring himself until he feels total confidence. "I've been very happy and I haven't really gone backwards and that's been key for me," Lawrie said. "I guess the biggest thing is being able to trust myself when I get out on the field and not have to worry about my body and just worry about the game. If I can't do that then I'm not going to go out there and do that. S once I can clear that stuff up, and it's in the near future. "I just need to keep being positive and keep putting the work in every single day and I'll be OK." Lawrie and Rick Renteria said the veteran has been his normal hyper since he reported to camp eight days ago. He'd been a full participant leading up to Saturday when he told Renteria he still didn't feel completely right. But Lawrie said he's just working out the "end kinks" to a trying period. Even though he's had a few tough days of late, Lawrie is trying to stay upbeat and power through. "It's nothing that's grabbing at me or anything like that," Lawrie said. "I think it's just how everything is sitting and needs to be aligned, that's all.

"Not completely where I want to be and I want to be right where I want to be in order to get out on the field. This last part has just been tough but I'm just continuing to push through and I want to be out on the field and be 100 percent and just have to worry about baseball and not have to worry about this. Before I get out there I just want to make sure that everything is cleared up."

Jim Thome: Getting into Baseball Hall of Fame would be Indescribable By Dan Hayes / CSN Chicago | February 26, 2017 GLENDALE, Ariz. -- Normally upbeat and positive, Jim Thome can’t help but beam with pride when asked about his Hall of Fame candidacy. Thome, who blasted 612 career home runs, including 134 with the White Sox, is eligible for induction for the first time in 2018. Even though he’s expected by many to one day be voted into Cooperstown, perhaps even in his first year, Thome said he’s merely honored to be on the ballot. Thome is joined on the ballot by Chipper Jones and former teammate Omar Vizquel, among others. Voting begins in December and the results will be announced next January. “To even be on the ballot and thought of, it would be the greatest honor I think you could get,” Thome said. “Or if you get an opportunity to go into the greatest fraternity baseball has or created, it would be indescribable. How do you ever think as a kid or a high school player or even going through the minor leagues, that you’d play at the big leagues that long? And then to get an opportunity at the end of your career to be put on the ballot is so great. “That would be the coolest moment ever.” Thome – who is in White Sox camp as a special assistant to the general manager – provided plenty of big moments in a career that spanned 22 seasons. He hit 30 home runs in 12 of 13 seasons between 1996-2008, leading the league with 47 in 2003. The slugger was a five-time All-Star and produced 72.9 b-Wins Above Replacement. Thome isn’t as superstitious about his candidacy as others previously have been. He won’t be the guy to bring up the topic, but the Peoria, Ill.-native doesn’t shy away from discussing it, either. “It’s not something you talk a lot about,” Thome said. “We’re not going to bring it up. But when people do bring it up, there’s a sense of pride, a sense of ‘Wow, baseball has thought that highly to put you on the ballot.’ And the fact that there’s just this wonderful fraternity of incredible players that you could be a part of, if you’re chosen.”

White Sox Pitchers Headed for World Baseball Classic Look Sharp in Win Over Rockies By Dan Hayes / CSN Chicago | February 26, 2017 GLENDALE, Ariz. -- Jose Quintana and Miguel Gonzalez looked like a pair of pitchers who began their offseasons earlier to prep for the World Baseball Classic. Both White Sox starting pitchers looked sharp as they made their spring debuts in a 7-3 victory over the Colorado Rockies at Camelback Ranch on Sunday afternoon. Team USA relievers David Robertson and Nate Jones also pitched a scoreless inning each in the win. Prospect Zack Burdi also pitched a scoreless ninth inning. Gonzalez, who is on the Team Mexico roster, only allowed a single on a dropped pop up on the infield in two scoreless innings. “I’m a little ahead of the game right now,” Gonzalez said. “I started a little earlier this year in the offseason to work out, thinking I wanted to go to the WBC and get ready for that. But I think the most important thing right now is getting ready for April 1 with the White Sox. That’s my goal, and you don’t get these opportunities every year. To represent Mexico, it’s going to be fun. It’s going to be great.”

Quintana, who will start for Colombia in their March 10 opener against the United States, allowed a run and a hit in two innings. He struck out one and hit a batter. “I feel good,” Quintana said. “I think for the first day I feel comfortable. I hit the glove. I feel good. A couple of pitches spinning were good and I feel really good.” Robertson is throwing much earlier than normal in anticipation of his March 6 departure for Miami, where Team USA begins its tournament. The club’s closer normally wouldn’t appear in a game until the calendar turns to March. Robertson said he usually only needs 5-6 spring outings to get in shape for the regular season. Though he felt a little rusty, the right-hander was pleased with several changeups and fastballs he threw. “I wouldn’t say it was smooth but I got through it,” Robertson said. “I had a few bad pitches that were just not competitive. … All in all I got through what seemed like a tough inning for a first outing. “I’m excited. I think it’s going to be a lot of fun. I’m going to go down there and put the ‘USA’ across my chest and have a chance to win something for our country. I think it’s going to be a lot of fun and I’m excited to play with a group of guys I’ve been playing against my whole life.” Eddie Alvarez had a three-run double for the White Sox while Tyler Saladino collected two hits in three trips. Catcher Roberto Pena went 2-for-2 with an RBI.

Not made for TV, hot prospect Lucas Giolito forges own path to White Sox By Colleen Kane / Chicago Tribune | February 24, 2017 When Lucas Giolito was in eighth grade, he was picked to perform a Shakespearean sonnet before his entire class. He recalls the reading going fairly well, but his distaste for the nerves he felt told him the family business wasn't for him. While his grandfather, parents and younger brother all have taken their turns at acting, a ballpark always has been Giolito's preferred stage, and MLB.com's No. 11 overall prospect is working this spring to be cast as the newest White Sox star. "I never really felt comfortable (acting)," Giolito said. "Being on stage and having to remember lines, I was never really interested in it. Whereas in baseball, I could be pitching in front of 40,000 people and feel comfortable just doing what I'm doing." Giolito is the Sox's top pitching prospect, a 6-foot-6, 255-pound right-hander who joined a group of exciting new arms on the South Side when he arrived from the Nationals in the Adam Eaton trade this winter. His baseball journey began after watching the game as a child with his mom and dad, who were Twins and Mets fans, respectively. But he doesn't come from a long line of athletes. His paternal grandfather, Silvio, was a two-time Olympic fencer for Team USA, but Giolito said he believes the farthest any relative advanced in baseball was in Little League. Instead, his family advanced in Hollywood, where his grandfather, Warren Frost, appeared in numerous television shows, including "Matlock," "Twin Peaks" and "Seinfeld." His mother, Lindsay Frost, is a long-time stage, screen and television actress who broke out when she replaced Meg Ryan on the soap opera "As the World Turns" and is now a painter. His father, Rick, also acted before moving on to the video-game industry. And younger brother, Casey, is auditioning for theater programs.

Lucas Giolito on the new White Sox prospects Lucas Giolito on the new White Sox prospects. (Colleen Kane/Chicago Tribune) Growing up, Giolito would read scripts with his mother and go with her as she did voiceover work. He most loved joining his father at the design studio to play video games that hadn't yet come out and imagines he would pursue a similar career if he weren't pitching. "They instilled in me the work ethic, that you always have to keep working, keep doing the right thing to be able to be successful," Giolito said of his parents' successes. Giolito, 22, is still in search of his own such success. The Nationals selected him No. 16 overall in the 2012 draft out of his Los Angeles high school, but he underwent elbow surgery later that summer. After his recovery, he worked his way up in the system before making his major-league debut in 2016. Giolito pitched four scoreless innings with a hit, two walks and a strikeout in a rain-shortened debut against the Mets, but he didn't have a scoreless outing after that. He posted a 6.75 ERA over six big-league appearances, bouncing between the minors and majors as he was needed. He said the back-and-forth last year helped him mature and reinforced a need to seize opportunities given to him. "I experienced a lot of hardship in the big leagues last year," Giolito said. "I took a lot away, about dealing with adversity, being able to make adjustments on the fly, slowing things down when they're speeding up. "I definitely learned a lot more from that than the success I experienced in the minor leagues." As Giolito tried to fix the poor results last year, he monkeyed with his mechanics, and that made things worse. "I would get into bad habits and I would try to correct them, but I wouldn't go about correcting them the right way," Giolito said. "I would try to force things instead of relaxing and trusting." White Sox practice at spring training Photos as the White Sox practice at spring training at Camelback Ranch in Glendale, Ariz. Whether those issues played a part in the Nationals including one of the top-rated pitching prospects in baseball in the Eaton trade is unspoken publicly, but Giolito said he had an "immediate positive reaction" when he heard about the deal on Twitter. He viewed his arrival at Camelback Ranch for spring training as a clean slate, and he said he did "dry work" in the offseason to fix his mechanics. Giolito said pitching coach Don Cooper has him working on commanding his fastball low and away to right-handed hitters and throwing his offspeed pitches for strikes over the first two weeks of camp. "He has a lot of talent," Sox manager Rick Renteria said. "There are a couple of pitches he will bury that nobody will be able to hit. … Very good arm. Very good action, live." The Sox have stressed they will take a deliberate approach to their new prospects' development, so he shouldn't be bounced around like he was with the Nationals. Triple-A Charlotte is the likely starting point. But if he does arrive at Guaranteed Rate Field soon, a reporter suggested he use as his entrance music the theme to "Seinfeld" to honor his grandfather, who died last week at the age of 91. Giolito said he needs to catch up on the show first. "It was a little before my time," Giolito said. "I know that's a timeless show, so I should really check it out and see what my grandfather did."

Giolito said his family's acting careers are a good icebreaker to use with new teammates, who are naturally curious about what shows they were in. If they want a tip ahead of the Oscars, Giolito had an opinion on the nominated movie "La La Land." "I thought it was OK," Giolito said. "I know it has gotten a lot of praise, but I've seen musicals better than that." Perhaps Giolito's hot take was understandable. The film is about Hollywood. Baseball always has been more his thing.

Saturday's recap: Dodgers 5, White Sox 3 Colleen Kane / Chicago Tribune | Feb. 25, 2017 Brett Eibner hit the go-ahead home run in the sixth inning off White Sox reliever Giovanni Soto to help lift the Dodgers to a 5-3 victory in the Cactus League opener at Camelback Ranch. Dodgers ace Clayton Kershaw pitched a 1-2-3 first inning, and Sox starter Carson Fulmer threw two scoreless innings. At the plate: Matt Davidson had the first Sox hit of the spring — a second-inning single off Alex Wood — and Avisail Garcia followed with a single as the Sox scored two runs. Garcia was 2-for-2 with two runs scored, and Yolmer Sanchez had two RBIs. On the mound: Sox right-hander Chris Beck gave up three earned runs on three hits and two walks over two innings. Off the bench: Zack Collins and Yoan Moncada made their Cactus League debuts, entering in the bottom of the fifth at catcher and second base, respectively. Collins grounded out and had a ninth-inning single. Moncada grounded out and struck out. Key number: 3 — Strikeouts for Fulmer. The quote: "It feels really good especially when you are facing that lineup. Anybody can hurt you there, even if it is spring training. … If you want to pitch for a long time and continue to pitch deep into games, then you have to make a pitch when you need to. And for me to be able to do that in my first innings, it's really positive." —Fulmer The quote 2: "To be able to go out there on the first day was an honor to me. I was a little jittery, but very excited to play." — Collins Up next: Vs. Rockies, 2:05 p.m. Sunday at Camelback Ranch; RH German Marquez vs. LH Jose Quintana.

Tim Anderson first up in White Sox's search for leadoff hitter Colleen Kane / Chicago Tribune | Feb. 25, 2017 Tim Anderson led off the first White Sox Cactus League game of the season Saturday, and there's a possibility he might see many more plate appearances out of that spot this year. When the Sox traded Adam Eaton in the offseason, they lost a player who led off 119 games last year. Beyond that, only Anderson started in the leadoff spot in more than twice. Anderson batted first in 41 games and second in 48, and his splits were similar in the two positions. He had a slash line of .279/.303/.419 leading off and .278/.296/.409 out of the second spot.

But Anderson's 117 strikeouts and .306 on-base percentage could cause the Sox to consider other options. "He could be a leadoff guy, but he's not a prototypical leadoff guy because everybody looks at his on-base as being an issue," Sox manager Rick Renteria said. "He's a hitter. So through the course of the spring we'll mix in different guys and see where we're at. "We have some guys who have led off in their careers. There are men who have not necessarily been in that position, but if you put them there maybe you find something clicks. We have a long spring and a lot of opportunities." Charlie Tilson, if healthy, and Tyler Saladino might be other options. Anderson said he would look to see more pitches and cut down on his strikeouts, but he also acknowledged he didn't want to change his approach too much. He was 1-for-3 with a double and a strikeout Saturday. "I definitely want to cut down my strikeouts, just be able to set the tone in the right way and lead this team in the right way," Anderson said. "If I'm going to be the leadoff hitter, I prefer to set the table the right way." Missing the action: The Sox were missing three potential starters in the spring opener. Third baseman Todd Frazier was out as he continues to cover from a left oblique strain. Matt Davidson, who is expected to vie for a spot as a backup third baseman and designated hitter, started in his place. Second baseman Brett Lawrie also sat out because his left leg, which put him on the disabled list for the final two months of the 2016 season, "didn't feel quite right," Renteria said. Tilson is recovering from a stress reaction in his right foot but said Saturday he's "moving in the right direction." He is rehabbing his surgically repaired left hamstring and jogging on an aqua treadmill. "I should be swinging it again in the next few days to a week or so depending on how things go," Tilson said. "But I'm close for sure." Nice start: Carson Fulmer said he felt like he picked up where he left off in Triple-A Charlotte last year when he pitched two scoreless innings in the Cactus League opener against the Dodgers. Fulmer said he was able to establish his fastball and his cutter, though his changeup and curveball weren't quite there yet. He struck out three and was pleased to work his way out of the first inning after he walked Justin Turner and gave up a single to Yasmani Grandal. "I did a good job of minimizing the situation," he said. "That was something in the past I haven't been able to figure out — guy on first and second, two-out walk and being able to keep it there."

Jake Petricka, Zach Putnam out to reclaim bullpen roles after surgery Colleen Kane / Chicago Tribune | Feb. 26, 2017 The White Sox bullpen suffered two blows hits last season when middle relievers Jake Petricka and Zach Putnam underwent surgery. Their absences forced the Sox to turn to a group of inexperienced relievers to try to patch the holes, with varying degrees of success. But the right-handers are back at Camelback Ranch this spring to try to reclaim their roles.

Petricka made just nine appearances before he had surgery to repair a torn labrum in his right hip in June. He is back to pitching without restrictions and said going to physical therapy twice a week throughout the offseason has kept him "on top of everything." "We could have rushed back and been ready to play at the very end of September, but the way the season turned out, it wasn't work the risk," Petricka said. "It feels good (to be back). I got that little taste of stepping away, doing a different thing for a little bit. You forget what it's like to be a part of the locker room and part of a team." Putnam posted a 2.30 ERA in 25 appearances last year, but he reached a point where he could no longer manage pain caused from bone fragments in his arm. He had surgery to remove them in August. "At the point we made the decision, it was not hard because I woke up the morning after my last outing in Boston, and my elbow was swollen up the size of a water balloon," Putnam said. "I could hardly move my arm, so that was the tipping point." Photos as the White Sox practice at spring training at Camelback Ranch in Glendale, Ariz. The surgery meant six months of physical therapy, and he began throwing lightly again in December. He said he has thrown off the mound about 10 times over the last month and threw live batting practice Wednesday, facing hitters on a field for the first time since June 20. "It's really nice to have a healthy arm," Putnam said. "I'm still having a little bit of residual soreness. They took a lot of stuff out of the elbow, so I think it's the body learning how to operate without that stuff in there for the first time in a while." Slow moving: The Sox are two games into the Cactus League season, and Carlos Rodon still hasn't thrown off a mound. The left-hander continues to play long toss and said he expects to throw a bullpen in the next week. "We have time," Rodon said. "All of this is to be ready for a long season and a bigger workload. … I'm not worried, so you guys shouldn't be worried either."

Tyler Saladino battling for a job in crowded White Sox infield Colleen Kane / Chicago Tribune | Feb. 26, 2017 Tyler Saladino is a "tweener" when it comes to the White Sox clubhouse this spring. After 161 games over two seasons, the 27-year-old infielder is not yet a clubhouse veteran, so he still looks to the example of players such as Todd Frazier, Geovany Soto and Melky Cabrera. But he also has enough experience that he feels he can help some of the younger players upon whom the Sox are staking their rebuild. Saladino likes the dual roles, and he said he goes home feeling excited every day thinking about continuing to develop with the Sox as they try to mold the young group into a contender. "Personally, I just want to compete and be a tough out at the plate, a hard-nosed guy on the field who can hold it down on defense," Saladino said. "And then I want to grow with these guys. I want to be here with this group, and I'm excited for all of the things to come. I can be a part of that transition." It remains to be seen where Saladino fits into this year's group. Second base is one of a few positions that appeared up for grabs as the Sox opened Cactus League games this weekend.

Manager Rick Renteria said Saturday he'll let the competition play out, and he mentioned Saladino, Brett Lawrie, Yolmer Sanchez and Leury Garcia as players in the hunt for the job at second base and an infield bench spot. The Sox also have heralded prospect Yoan Moncada working out at second base, but the initial plan is he'll start the year at Triple-A Charlotte, unless he changes their minds. "As we're starting the games, we're going to see where it fits with any number of them to be a part of this club," Renteria said. "Obviously the flexibility is really important, so we're going to try to take advantage of it. Quite a ways down the road, we'll figure out where we're at." Sanchez and Moncada played second in the spring opener Saturday. Garcia started there Sunday, and Saladino played shortstop, going 2-for-3. Lawrie hasn't played because he said his body doesn't yet feel 100 percent in his quest to return from a leg injury he believes stemmed from using orthotics last year. "I haven't really gone backward, and that has been key for me," Lawrie said. "The biggest thing is being able to trust myself when I get out on the field and not have to worry about my body and just worry about the game. If I can't do that then I'm not going to go out there." Saladino received extra playing time in August and September after Lawrie was injured. Despite being slowed late in the year with a herniated disk in his back, he finished with a line of .282/.315/.409 and had 14 doubles, eight home runs and 11 stolen bases in 93 games. He also spent at least one out at every position except pitcher and catcher last year, including 41 games at second and 32 games at shortstop. In his first full season in the majors, he said he learned about "pacing yourself and understanding the process." "You're making sure you're staying in the moment and not getting ahead of yourself, staying in the process throughout the whole season," Saladino said. "It was a good step forward to learn what it takes to play a full season." As for his job this year, Saladino said he's more focused on adjusting to a new manager. "The most important thing for us collectively is we're all trying to come together under the leadership of Ricky," Saladino said. "We want to take everything in he's trying to instill in us, change the character a little bit in how we're going about things."

Sunday's recap: White Sox 7, Rockies 3 Colleen Kane / Chicago Tribune | Feb. 26, 2017 Jose Quintana was one of four White Sox pitchers preparing for World Baseball Classic appearances Sunday in a 7-3 victory over the Rockies. Quintana, who will pitch for Colombia in the WBC, gave up a home run to Pat Valaika, the only hit and run scored in his two innings. He had two strikeouts. On the mound: Team Mexico right-hander Miguel Gonzalez pitched two scoreless innings, and Team USA relievers David Robertson and Nate Jones each threw a scoreless inning. At the plate: Cody Asche had a game-tying RBI double in the fourth inning, and Eddy Alvarez added a three-run double in the seventh. In relief: Recent first-round draft pick Zack Burdi made his Cactus League debut with a perfect ninth inning.

Key number: 2 — Hits for Tyler Saladino and Roberto Pena. The quote: "It's an honor for me to represent my country for the first time in this tournament. Especially when you face U.S., the best country in the world for baseball, and face all the players during the season, it's fun." — Quintana who will pitch against Team USA in the WBC. The quote 2: "It was a little different because I came after Q. I'm used to going through my routine, throwing long toss, but it was fun to be out there." —Gonzalez on pitching in relief. Up next: At Cubs, 2:05 p.m. Monday at Sloan Park. RH Lucas Giolito vs. LH Brett Anderson.

Melky 'Melk Man' Cabrera delivers humor, leadership for rebuilding White Sox David Haugh / CSN Chicago | Feb. 26, 2017 When Melky Cabrera calls out, fellow White Sox outfielder Avi Garcia answers to "Big Head." Michael Ynoa, a Sox pitcher Cabrera considers long in the neck, good-naturedly gets dubbed "Giraffe.'' Inexperienced reliever Juan Minaya goes by "Pasante,'' a Spanish word for intern. To hear Sox players and officials talk, Hawk Harrelson has nothing on Cabrera when it comes to inventing nicknames. Such is baseball life for the Sox as the Melk Man lightens the mood in the clubhouse, applying terms of endearment as a means of making teammates laugh while playing a game that can be a serious struggle. "I like to give them random nicknames or make fun of the Hispanic guys if they say something that isn't right,'' Cabrera said through interpreter Billy Russo. "I want to make guys feel they're in their house, we're a family, and they should relax because we're playing a game. I try to make the place happy and create a better atmosphere. So I tease them.'' Cabrera considers nobody off limits, but with respect comes restraint in the case of Jose Abreu, the team's most contemplative player. Around the strong, silent type, Cabrera is as careful as a pitcher with the bases loaded. "He's so focused and in his own world, you don't want to mess with his preparation,'' Cabrera said. "He's a good guy and we joke together, too, but I try to be more cautious with Abreu than others.'' Entering his third season on the South Side, Cabrera considers improving the vibe as much a part of his job as hitting behind the runner. After Sox victories last year, Cabrera grabbed a karaoke microphone and emceed postgame ceremonies honoring key performances. After fly balls fell into his glove, the Sox left fielder was known to exaggerate a pose to draw a laugh. At Cabrera's Instagram account — el_melky — you will find a photo of his head superimposed on the body of a milkman carrying a carton of bottles under the caption "The Melkman Delivers.'' Usually, it's a chuckle. White Sox practice at spring training Photos as the White Sox practice at spring training at Camelback Ranch in Glendale, Ariz. "I understand his middle-of-the-pack English skills probably prevent him from having too big of a public persona, but Melky's an easygoing, fun-loving guy inside whose looseness is contagious,'' said Sox director of player development Chris Getz, Cabrera's teammate with the Royals and Blue Jays. "On two teams, I never came across a guy who didn't like Melky Cabrera, and that's fairly unusual for a major-league player.'' On a Sox team expected to lose more than it wins as the rebuilding begins, Cabrera's comic relief offers a young team a daily reminder to keep things in perspective. That especially resonates on a roster with so many Latin players and prospects who relate well to Cabrera.

"Just his presence. ... He's a fun guy to have around, but we also want him to lead by example between the lines,'' manager Rick Renteria said. "He's one of the premier hitters in the game and has been for quite a few years.'' Quietly, Cabrera has hit .284 in two seasons with the Sox, driving in 86 runs last year with 14 home runs and 42 doubles in 151 games. Over the last three seasons, Cabrera has collected as many hits as Angels star Mike Trout (518) — with 10 more doubles. Only two MLB outfielders have more hits over that three-year span. Ask Cabrera about the consistency and he refers to his daily approach, which he traced back to being a 21-year-old starter on the 2006 American League East champion Yankees team that included mentors Bobby Abreu and Derek Jeter. "Their personalities were outstanding, so you wanted to be around them,'' Cabrera said. "I learned. Here, now, I feel proud of my role.'' A 50-game suspension for using performance-enhancing drugs in 2012 seems like eons ago now for a player embracing his status as a Sox team leader. Cabrera's long road to respectability actually started as a boy in Haina, just outside Santo Domingo in the Dominican Republic. The natural left-handed hitter taught himself how to swing from both sides after a scout told the 5-foot-10 Cabrera he would need a special skill to make the majors because he was too short. He idolized switch hitter Chipper Jones. His mother urged Cabrera to be an engineer, but baseball came too naturally. He signed with the Yankees at 17, accepted a $175,000 bonus and left for opportunity in America in 2003. Six teams and two World Series rings later — with the 2009 Yankees and 2012 Giants — Cabrera enjoys his reputation as a professional hitter as well as personal prankster. With general manager Rick Hahn open about his intentions, Cabrera represents an ideal trade candidate given what's on the back of his baseball card and the front of his contract. Cabrera's three-year, $42 million deal expires in October. "I can only control my preparation for the season,'' Cabrera said. "I would love to stay here, though. I love this team. I love Chicago. But at the end of the day, it's not my decision. So I'll just try to take advantage of this good situation and make every day enjoyable.'' For the benefit of the Sox, Cabrera involves everybody in the enjoyment.

Miguel Gonzalez at home with White Sox after late arrival in 2016 Colleen Kane / Chicago Tribune | Feb. 27, 2017 Miguel Gonzalez had 12 family members in attendance for his first Cactus League appearance of the year Sunday. He posed for pictures on the field before the game and even gave his grandfather a tour around the training facility at Camelback Ranch. "I showed him around a little bit, and he was excited," the White Sox pitcher said. "He was like a little kid when they go in for some candy." Gonzalez expects many more family and friends to be in attendance when he pitches for Team Mexico in the World Baseball Classic next month. The games will take place in Estadio Charros de Jalisco, near his hometown of Guadalajara. "In Mexico, there’s going to be a lot more than that, that’s for sure," Gonzalez said. "More than anything (I’m excited) to get together with the guys I played with in Mexico when I played winter ball down there. Obviously the family, I get to see my family, I don’t get to see them all the time."

Sox left-hander Jose Quintana was also tuning up for his start for Colombia against Team USA in the World Baseball Classic, and so Gonzalez pitched in relief Sunday. He treated his pregame preparation the same way, and finished with two scoreless innings, with one hit and one strikeout. "I’m a little ahead of the game right now," Gonzalez said. "I started a little earlier this year in the offseason to work out, thinking I wanted to go to the WBC and get ready for that, but I think the most important thing right now is getting ready for April 1 with the White Sox." Gonzalez was pleased to say Sunday that the Sox have become a second home to him. Last year at this time, Gonzalez was in spring training with the Orioles, but they released him before the season, and he signed with the Sox on a minor-league deal. Though he had his "ups and downs" in the first half after making his Sox debut April 25, he was happy with how he settled in late in the year. He finished with a 3.73 ERA over 135 innings in 24 appearances, including 23 starts. "Second half was a better season for me, and you always want to finish strong," Gonzalez said. "Hopefully I can keep that going and minimize damage when I need to." While plenty of additions went the wrong way for the Sox last year, Gonzalez as a fifth starter was a pleasant development. Manager Rick Renteria said it wasn’t necessarily a surprise to the Sox, however. "It was probably a surprise (for others) because maybe people just didn’t have any expectations," Renteria said. "But when you talk to him and see him prepare and see him pitch, he’s pretty focused. He enjoys what he does. He’s very relaxed. But really he has an intent to go out and attack the strike zone. "He’s a strike thrower, stays down in the zone, mixes his pitches well. He’s a veteran pitcher that has an idea of what he needs to do to get through the ballgame."

Buehrle ‘blown away’ by White Sox honor By Daryl Van Schouwen / Chicago Sun-Times | Feb. 24, 2017 GLENDALE, Ariz. — Mark Buehrle said he was “blown away and floored” by the White Sox’ decision to retire his number. He also is trying to cope with the thought of making a speech in front of what should be — based on his popularity as a player — a big crowd when the Sox honor him -before a game against the Athletics on June 24. “I’m just trying to not pass out from thinking I’ve got to get up there and do a speech,’’ Buehrle said. “You think I’m joking, I’m not.” That’s Buehrle in a nutshell. He’s a humble, down-to-earth guy, a consummate pro and a fan favorite who performed at a high level consistently with less-than-spectacular stuff. Keeping a low profile on his farm in Missouri, Buehrle hasn’t talked to the media since pitching his last game for the Blue Jays at the end of the 2015 season. Buehrle made his mark with the Sox, making nine Opening Day starts in 10 seasons, pitching a no-hitter and a perfect game, making four All-Star teams, winning three Gold Gloves and helping the Sox win the 2005 World Series. “It’s hard to wrap your head around,” Buehrle said. “I was blown away and floored by it. It’s a great honor. You don’t really intend for it to happen, or you don’t play for that reason. You just go out there and play.”

The Sox announced Thursday that Buehrle would be the 11th Sox player to have his number retired. He talked with reporters on a conference call Friday. “I’ve been joking around with friends saying my jersey is going to be up there next to [Hall of Famer] Frank Thomas,” Buehrle said. Buehrle said he misses the camaraderie of the clubhouse and teammates but hasn’t missed playing as much as he thought he would, mostly because his wife, Jamie, two children and four dogs have kept him busy at home. He knew for some time, he said, that his career would be over when his contract was up in Toronto. “A big part of it was missing the family. They weren’t up in Toronto the whole season, and I think that just kind of drained on me,” he said. “The reason I didn’t say anything, I didn’t want all the attention.” Buehrle was a 38th-round draft pick by the Sox. “Kind of snuck into the big leagues, and I wanted to kind of sneak my way out,” he said. But the attention June 24 will be unavoidable. “I just did what I was supposed to do, had fun with it and lived every day like it was my last,” Buehrle said. “Now my number is going to be up there. I haven’t really soaked everything in. It just doesn’t make sense right now.” NOTES: Carson Fulmer will start the spring opener against the Dodgers and their ace, Clayton Kershaw, on Saturday (890-AM, whitesox.com). “Hopefully, I can keep the scorecard or something,’’ Fulmer said of opposing the three-time Cy Young Award winner. • Jose Quintana starts Sunday against the Rockies, and Lucas Giolito pitches Monday against the Cubs. • The Sox agreed to terms with 25 players, including Carlos Rodon ($600,000), Tim Anderson and Tyler Saladino. All the players on the 40-man roster are now under contract. • Rodon, who hasn’t thrown a bullpen session yet, will throw long toss Saturday for the second time in three days, manager Rick Renteria said. “We’re going to give him a few more sessions of those and see where he’s at.’’ • Jesse Crain (Sunday) and Matt Thornton (March 4) are scheduled to work with Russ Langer during webcasts.

Brett Lawrie latest White Sox to go on shelf Daryl Van Schouwen / Chicago Sun-Times | Feb. 25, 2017 GLENDALE, Ariz. — First center fielder Charlie Tilson, then third baseman Todd Frazier. On Saturday, infielder Brett Lawrie joined them in the White Sox trainer’s room at Camelback Ranch, receiving treatment on his left leg and putting a potential third of the Opening Day lineup out of uniform for the first Cactus League game of 2017. The real opener is five and a half weeks away, so there is time for healing what is ailing each of them. Lawrie, who last played on July 21, went on the disabled list with a strained left hamstring, then dealt with a chain reaction of physical issues which he would later attribute to orthotics. Until now, Lawrie’s participation in camp has been good.

“He just woke up this morning and felt it,” manager Rick Renteria said. “So we’re going to be very cautious. “He didn’t feel quite right. We’ll re-eavaluate it tomorrow.” Frazier (left oblique), who clubbed 40 homers in 2016, hopes to resume baseball activity Monday. Tilson (stress reaction, right foot), a prospect acquired from the Cardinals for Zach Duke last season, is jogging in the aqua treadmill and “still kind of taking things slow,’’ he said. He hopes to start swinging a bat later next week. “I’m here every day, working hard. I feel like I’m getting close,’’ he said. Tilson seemed to have an inside track on the center fielder’s job going into camp. “He just woke up this morning and felt it,” manager Rick Renteria said. “So we’re going to be very cautious. “He didn’t feel quite right. We’ll re-eavaluate it tomorrow.” Frazier (left oblique), who clubbed 40 homers in 2016, hopes to resume baseball activity Monday. Tilson (stress reaction, right foot), a prospect acquired from the Cardinals for Zach Duke last season, is jogging in the aqua treadmill and “still kind of taking things slow,’’ he said. He hopes to start swinging a bat later next week. “I’m here every day, working hard. I feel like I’m getting close,’’ he said. Tilson seemed to have an inside track on the center fielder’s job going into camp.

Davidson positioned for better results in 2017 Daryl Van Schouwen / Chicago Sun-Times | Feb. 25, 2017 GLENDALE, Ariz. — Baseball is a non-contact sport, but it will beat you up. Just ask corner infielder Matt Davidson, a former first-round draft pick. After slumping and losing all confidence for some two years, Davidson figured something out, climbed his way back to success at Class AAA Charlotte and then to a call-up to the Sox last June 30. In his second at-bat in a game against the Twins at U.S. Cellular Field and his first in the majors since 2013, Davidson singled against left-hander Tommy Milone. All was right in his world again, it seemed. Until he rounded first base and felt something go awry in his right foot. Two days later he underwent season-ending surgery to repair a fracture. “It was tough,’’ Davidson said. You think? On Saturday, Davidson, batting fourth in the Sox’ Cactus League opener against the Dodgers and Clayton Kershaw, stepped into a batter’s box for the first time in eight months, healed from the injury. He lost all that time, but the confidence in his swing still was there. His outlook remains bright.

“I look at last year as a complete positive,’’ he said. “I’m so excited about where I am at with my swing, defensively and as a baseball player as a whole. I feel stronger and think I will perform better than I would have last year if I didn’t get hurt. I’ve improved my swing.’’ Davidson singled and struck out in two at-bats. He also dived to his left in the field to retire Franklin Gutierrez. “I’m just so excited to get this thing going.’’ Considered the third baseman of the future when the Sox traded closer Addison Reed four winters ago, Davidson swatted 20 and 23 homers at Charlotte in 2014 and ’15 but he batted .199 and .203 and struck out a total of 355 times. Dark times indeed for a player drafted in the first round by the Diamondbacks in 2009. “I had no confidence at all for two years,’’ Davidson said. “I was down and never recovered until the offseason after 2015. That’s when I learned how to hit.’’ Working with hitting coordinator Mike Gellinger — a behind-the-scenes organization instructor whom Paul Konerko and Jim Thome leaned on — flipped a switch. “When I came up in the Diamondbacks system, I just debuted; I just hit,’’ Davidson said. “I didn’t really know what I was. I’ve really learned myself, and what I need to do to be successful.’’ Gellinger said Davidson’s swing was fine. His posture wasn’t. “It equated to a lot of misses,’’ Gellinger said. “Now the bat travels in the zone a little longer. There’s not so many misses with those good pitches you get to hit.’’ At Charlotte last season, Davidson’s .268/.349/.444 slash line looked nothing like 2014 and ’15. He had 10 homers, 20 doubles and 46 RBI, and the Sox called him up. “For me it was body position. I was staying back, and it made my swing look long and it made me late on a lot of pitches. Now I’m in the middle of my body.’’ The confidence he had as a -rising prospect is back. “When you lose your confidence, that’s kind of your biggest thing you have,’’ he said. Davidson has a chance to grab the bulk of at-bats as designated hitter this year, although manager Rick Renteria’s plan is to divide it up. “He looks real good, not only in the box but defensively he’s moving around real well at third,’’ Renteria said. He’s grateful the Sox have stuck with him. “A lot of players don’t get as many opportunities as I’ve had these four years with the White Sox,’’ Davidson said. Two days later he underwent season-ending surgery to repair a fracture. “It was tough,’’ Davidson said. You think?

On Saturday, Davidson, batting fourth in the Sox’ Cactus League opener against the Dodgers and Clayton Kershaw, stepped into a batter’s box for the first time in eight months, healed from the injury. He lost all that time, but the confidence in his swing still was there. His outlook remains bright. “I look at last year as a complete positive,’’ he said. “I’m so excited about where I am at with my swing, defensively and as a baseball player as a whole. I feel stronger and think I will perform better than I would have last year if I didn’t get hurt. I’ve improved my swing.’’ Davidson singled and struck out in two at-bats. He also dived to his left in the field to retire Franklin Gutierrez. “I’m just so excited to get this thing going.’’ Considered the third baseman of the future when the Sox traded closer Addison Reed four winters ago, Davidson swatted 20 and 23 homers at Charlotte in 2014 and ’15 but he batted .199 and .203 and struck out a total of 355 times. Dark times indeed for a player drafted in the first round by the Diamondbacks in 2009. “I had no confidence at all for two years,’’ Davidson said. “I was down and never recovered until the offseason after 2015. That’s when I learned how to hit.’’ Working with hitting coordinator Mike Gellinger — a behind-the-scenes organization instructor whom Paul Konerko and Jim Thome leaned on — flipped a switch. “When I came up in the Diamondbacks system, I just debuted; I just hit,’’ Davidson said. “I didn’t really know what I was. I’ve really learned myself, and what I need to do to be successful.’’ Gellinger said Davidson’s swing was fine. His posture wasn’t. “It equated to a lot of misses,’’ Gellinger said. “Now the bat travels in the zone a little longer. There’s not so many misses with those good pitches you get to hit.’’ At Charlotte last season, Davidson’s .268/.349/.444 slash line looked nothing like 2014 and ’15. He had 10 homers, 20 doubles and 46 RBI, and the Sox called him up. “For me it was body position. I was staying back, and it made my swing look long and it made me late on a lot of pitches. Now I’m in the middle of my body.’’ The confidence he had as a -rising prospect is back. “When you lose your confidence, that’s kind of your biggest thing you have,’’ he said. Davidson has a chance to grab the bulk of at-bats as designated hitter this year, although manager Rick Renteria’s plan is to divide it up. “He looks real good, not only in the box but defensively he’s moving around real well at third,’’ Renteria said. He’s grateful the Sox have stuck with him.

“A lot of players don’t get as many opportunities as I’ve had these four years with the White Sox,’’ Davidson said.

White Sox fall to Dodgers in Cactus League opener By Daryl Van Schouwen / Chicago Sun-Times | Feb. 25, 2017 Dodgers 5, White Sox 3 The Rick Renteria era begins The annual Cactus League lid lifter between the Camelback Ranch co-inhabitants went to the Dodgers, who scored three in the third against Chris Beck and got a homer by Brett Eibner against Giovanni Soto in the sixth. Giovanni Soto just missed throwing to starting catcher Geovany Soto by one inning. A good start for Fulmer First-round right-hander Carson Fulmer, picking up where he left off after a strong finish at AAA Charlotte in 2016, started and pitched two scoreless innings. Fulmer walked one, allowed a single and struck out Franklin Gutierrez, Joc Pederson and Yasiel Puig. “That second inning, I felt really really good,’’ Fulmer said. “I felt comfortable. I felt right where I left off last year. I got the first one under my belt, and I feel like it’s going to be a very positive spring training.’’ Fulmer commanded his two-seam and four-seam fastballs, threw his cutter for strikes and used the changeup. He wasn’t able to get a good grip on his curve, he said. Chicago White Sox's Carson Fulmer throws during the first inning of a spring training baseball game against the Los Angeles Dodgers Saturday, Feb. 25, 2017, in Glendale, Ariz. (AP Photo/Morry Gash) Carson Fulmer throws during the first inning. (AP) Good for the kids Catcher Zack Collins, drafted 10th overall last June, caught the last four innings and went 1-for-2 at the plate with a single. Top prospect Yoan Moncada played four innings at second base and went 0-for-2 with a strikeout. “I’m the new guy, it’s my first year, it’s the first game played and I get to play,’’ Collins said. “It was definitely an honor.’’ On deck Rockies at Sox, Glendale, 2:05, 890-AM, whitesox.com. German Marquez vs. Jose Quintana. Miguel Gonzalez, Dylan Covey, Zack Burdi, Nate Jones, David Robertson also scheduled. First-round right-hander Carson Fulmer, picking up where he left off after a strong finish at AAA Charlotte in 2016, started and pitched two scoreless innings. Fulmer walked one, allowed a single and struck out Franklin Gutierrez, Joc Pederson and Yasiel Puig. “That second inning, I felt really really good,’’ Fulmer said. “I felt comfortable. I felt right where I left off last year. I got the first one under my belt, and I feel like it’s going to be a very positive spring training.’’ Fulmer commanded his two-seam and four-seam fastballs, threw his cutter for strikes and used the changeup. He wasn’t able to get a good grip on his curve, he said.

Carlos Rodon continues at slow, steady pace By Daryl Van Schouwen / Chicago Sun-Times | Feb. 26, 2017

GLENDALE, Ariz. — On the second day of the Cactus League schedule, Carlos Rodon still hadn’t pitched off a mound. All in good time, he said. There’s no cause for concern, he insisted. The White Sox are bringing the big lefty they view as a fixture in their rotation along slowly with the intent of keeping him strong to the finish of a hoped-for 200-inning season. Again, he said he’s healthy — and is persuasive in saying so — but he understands why there might be cause for concern. “Yeah, I get it. I totally understand,” Rodon said Sunday. “No, we’re good. We’re all good. You guys have nothing to worry about. I’m not worried, so you guys shouldn’t be worried, either.” Rodon is still in a long-toss phase of his throwing plan, saying he feels “very good.” “We’re just trying to get it stretched out more,” Rodon said. “Take a couple more, and I think next week we’ll get on a mound. “We’re in no rush. We have time. All of this is to be ready for a long season and a bigger workload. That’s what it’s for.” Lawrie’s setback Brett Lawrie said he’s trying to get the “little kinks” out of whatever is ailing in his lower half. The infielder didn’t get on the field for a second consecutive day. “It’s not necessarily sore; it’s nothing that’s grabbing at me or anything like that,’’ Lawrie said. “It’s just how everything is sitting and needs to be aligned, that’s all.” The official word from the Sox is that Lawrie has muscle discomfort in his lower body. Lawrie, who last played July 21, went on the disabled list with a strained left hamstring, then dealt with a chain reaction of physical issues that he would later attribute to orthotics. “I want to be right where I want to be in order to get on the field,” Lawrie said. “This last part has been tough, but I’m just continuing to push through and I want to be out on the field and be 100 percent and just have to worry about baseball and not have to worry about this. “Before I get out there, I just want to make sure that everything is cleared up.” Hawkins enjoying the moment It has been five years already since the Sox made power-hitting outfielder Courtney Hawkins their first high school first-round draft pick in 11 years. Hawkins has 67 homers, and an ongoing high strikeout rate in the minors and a .203/.255/.349 slash line at Class AA Birmingham last season suggest his clock is ticking. “It’s one of those things where you have to enjoy the moment,” Hawkins, 23, said. “I’m just happy I’m here playing ball. I’m happy to be a part of this, what they have going. Whatever is asked of me at this point, I’m ready to hop on board.” Hawkins, who started in left field and went 0-for-2 in the Sox’ Cactus League game against the Rockies, looks fit. He lost 10-15 pounds during the offseason. “Just trying to come in and stay healthy,” he said. “I know everyone says this, but it holds true for me: I just have to stay with the process.’’

Fun and bonding in White Sox clubhouse

By Daryl Van Schouwen / Chicago Sun-Times | Feb. 26, 2017 GLENDALE, Ariz. — What goes on in the clubhouse stays in the clubhouse, but the walls of the White Sox’ locker room at Camelback Ranch can’t hold the laughter inside. Team meetings have featured a variety of “presentations” from mostly younger players, arranged by first-year manager Rick Renteria to keep things loose, get prospects to bond with veterans and, in general, to promote a tight bond. “It’s entertaining,” closer David Robertson said without offering much detail. “And it’s a good chance to get these guys out of their comfort zone by forcing them to do something they don’t want to do. It helps them open up and feel like they’re part of the team.” There was a WWE wrestling show and alma mater themes. Nebraska Cornhuskers Dan Jennings, Cody Asche and Aaron Bummer had their own special moment. Miami Hurricane Zack Collins, the Sox’ first-round draft choice last June, is up Monday. “I’ll probably be more nervous [doing that] than I will playing,” Collins said. Last year, the Sox had Drake LaRoche drama. This kind is much better. “I understand what he’s trying to do,” veteran Todd Frazier said. “We have good stuff going on in the morning to break up the grind. The meetings have been fun.” All of this is not unique to spring training. Rockies manager Bud Black, under whom Renteria served as a bench coach with the Padres, is taking it to a high level in camp. Mike Scioscia and Joe Maddon have their tricks and methods. “They are getting to know each other,” Renteria said. “They are getting to connect in different ways. But that’s what anybody does. You just try to help your club bond, get to know each other as quickly as possible, and then they go out there and play.’’ The days of when veterans big-timed the rookies and prospects are fading away. The young guys know their place, but they feel more comfortable asking a favor from a veteran, and that seems to be a good thing. “In this camp, there is no shying away,” said Nate Jones, the longest-tenured Sox. “You cannot just go about your day doing your thing. He’s getting everyone involved, and the cool thing is the young guys feel comfortable coming over asking questions. The guys who have been around a bit are willing to share information because we’ve been there and done that. “Everybody is pulling from the same rope. [Renteria] has everyone jelling.” Whether it translates into wins on the field is open to debate. Players and managers, for the most part, insist bonding has value. “The more comfortable you feel within the environment you’re working in, when you go out into the field it makes it a little easier,” Renteria said. The preparation for the players on stage is the toughest part. “They have a lot of homework to do, and then they have to come in and present it,” Frazier said. “You feel like you’re back in school. But it’s fun stuff.”

Courtney Hawkins, a first-round draft pick in 2012, hasn’t played in the majors but is an observer of spring-training clubhouse culture, especially from the young guys’ side. “The team is a lot different now,” Hawkins said. “You can tell there is a lot of chemistry in here. I love what Renteria is doing, trying to make this a close-knit group. A lot of people are hopping on board.” “It’s a family-type thing. He means business, he wants stuff done right, but he wants to have fun at the same time. We’re going to roll together, not as individuals.”

White Sox tip Rockies 7-3 for first Cactus League victory By Daryl Van Schouwen / Chicago Sun-Times | Feb. 26, 2017 GLENDALE, Ariz. — The White Sox defeated the Colorado Rockies 7-3 in their second Cactus League game of the spring. Right on Q The White Sox, fielding a lineup of mostly second- and third-tier position players on the depth chart against a Rockies split squad, practiced their first handshake line of the spring. Jose Quintana, despite hitting the first batter he faced and giving up a home run to Pat Valaika, came away pleased with his command. He walked none and struck out two in two innings. Quintana, preparing to start Colombia’s opener in the World Baseball Classic against the U.S., has looked sharp throughout camp. “It’s an honor for me to represent my country for the first time in this tournament, and especially when you face the U.S., the best country in the world for baseball,’’ Quintana said. Speaking of international sports, former Olympic speedskater Eddy Alvarez drove in three runs with a double and was solid at shortstop. Global warming In addition to Quintana, David Robertson (U.S.), Nate Jones (U.S.) and Miguel Gonzalez (Mexico) tuned up for the WBC with one inning each. Gonzalez allowed one baserunner in two scoreless innings, and Robertson and Jones each pitched a scoreless frame. “I didn’t get to do it in 2013, and to represent Mexico, your country, it’s going to be exciting,” Gonzalez said. Frazier update Todd Frazier, out with a left oblique issue, plans to return to the batting cage Monday. On deck Sox at Cubs, Mesa, 2:05 p.m., 890-AM. Lucas Giolito vs. Brett Anderson. Anthony Swarzak, Juan Minaya, Dan Jennings, Tommy Kahnle and Jace Fry also are scheduled. “It’s an honor for me to represent my country for the first time in this tournament, and especially when you face the U.S., the best country in the world for baseball,’’ Quintana said. Speaking of international sports, former Olympic speedskater Eddy Alvarez drove in three runs with a double and was solid at shortstop.

Under Renteria, White Sox Working Hard to be Fundamentally Sound

By Scot Gregor / Daily Herald | Feb. 26, 2017 Late last year, general manager Rick Hahn declined to come right out and say what direction the Chicago White Sox were going to move in during the off-season. Hahn did drop a pretty strong hint, saying the "first couple of moves" would offer guidance. "Obviously, the (Chris) Sale (trade) was widely viewed as the first move," Hahn said. "But in a lot of ways it was hiring Ricky (Renteria) and promoting Nick Capra and Curt Hasler to our major-league staff. They had deep player development roots, which in my mind at least made it clear internally that we're going to have a younger team, a team where teachers are important and you're identifying priorities of teaching and holding guys accountable and building something for the future." Renteria replaced Robin Ventura as Sox manager the day after the disappointing 2016 season ended. Less than two weeks later, Capra was promoted to third-base coach and Hasler replaced Bobby Thigpen as bullpen coach. During his first 21 years in the Sox's organization, Capra worked as director of player development, minor-league field coordinator, assistant director of minor-league instruction, minor-league coordinator and minor-league manager. During his 25 years in the White Sox's organization, Hasler was minor-league pitching coordinator and minor-league pitching coach. Renteria was the Sox's bench coach under Ventura last season, but he also managed the Chicago Cubs in 2014, spent six years on the San Diego Padres' coaching staff and managed in the minor leagues for eight seasons. To be brutally honest, the Sox are a team in need of teachers. For years, even their most battle-tested veterans players made mistake after mistake, be it at the plate, on the basepaths or on defense. Now that the White Sox are transitioning to a younger team, sweating out all the small stuff is even more critical. That's why Renteria and his staff spent so many hours in the early days of spring training working on fundamentals. "It's important for every club," Renteria said. "Every aspect, from the defensive and offensive standpoint, we're trying to incorporate this spring to help us improve on those things. We're talking about it a lot. A lot of it is more focus and preparation, so hopefully we can increase our intensity and concentration in certain situations without getting uptight and limiting our ability to do certain things." Every spring, the White Sox have played one or two intrasquad games right before moving into Cactus League play. Under Renteria this year, the intrasquad games were scrapped and replaced by more fundamental drills. "Focus is a commitment to the actions you take," Renteria said. "Right now, when we're running the plays, the defensive fundamentals and even the situational hitting, the results in a controlled environment, if you're doing it right, actually occur. That's more an indication guys are doing what they're supposed to be doing. "It's a little more hectic when you're playing in the game because velocity is increased, the emotions get into the picture. But if they can at least control the environment and master the environment in which they're working, that shows you indications they're going to be able to move forward