'Bummed' Montgomery looking ahead after being optioned to Triple-A

GLENDALE, Ariz. -- When Colson Montgomery was told Tuesday about being optioned from big league camp to Triple-A Charlotte, the talented White Sox shortstop prospect admitted to being ¡°bummed for a couple of hours.¡±

¡°Once I woke up this morning, I was like, ¡®All right, I have to go to work, do the same thing and be a pro,¡¯¡± said Montgomery, speaking Wednesday from the Minor League side of Chicago's facilities at Camelback Ranch. ¡°Honestly, I¡¯m going to keep the same mindset. I have to be ready for my season.

¡°I¡¯m not just going to break down and not try to do my best and get the best out of myself. I know what I have to do. I¡¯m not going to be [upset] and stuff like that. I¡¯m going to get ready for my season.¡±

Montgomery -- who is Chicago's No. 4 prospect and No. 39 overall, per MLB Pipeline -- entered camp with a decent chance and an even stronger desire to break camp as the starter up the middle. He was scratched due to back spasms from the White Sox lineup on Feb. 27 -- which also happened to be his 23rd birthday -- and was out for 10 games.

General manager Chris Getz admitted Tuesday the team erred on the side of caution with Montgomery¡¯s back issue. Montgomery added Wednesday that he felt good overall.

¡°I don¡¯t think any of that was a big deal with their decision,¡± said Montgomery of the back problem, which was described as a ¡°hiccup¡± by Getz. ¡°I respect everything they said. I feel good. I¡¯m ready to get after it here. Turn the page and just get ready for my season.¡±

¡°That made Spring Training a little less smooth than he would have liked,¡± Getz said. ¡°However, I know he¡¯s working hard. I was very impressed with his defense. He was great with the routine play.¡±

The White Sox have a good vibe about them during Will Venable¡¯s first Spring Training as manager, with a focus on doing things right in the present while getting a glimpse of what appears to be a bright future. That future will be on display Sunday at Camelback Ranch, with the organization¡¯s six players in MLB Pipeline¡¯s Top 100, including Montgomery, taking part in their Spring Breakout contest against Colorado at 4:05 p.m. CT.

There¡¯s also no need to rush prospects in a season where the White Sox aren't likely to contend. Montgomery had some good moments in camp, especially on the defensive side, and will work for more with the Knights.

¡°One of the biggest things was just to prove to them [that] I am a shortstop, and that¡¯s what I¡¯ve been doing and that¡¯s what they¡¯re telling me,¡± Montgomery said. ¡°Just be consistent with my work. Doing the things I need to do every day to be professional and a big league shortstop.¡±

Remember me?
Travis Jankowski joined the White Sox via a Minor League deal Wednesday, with a non-roster invite to Spring Training. For those not familiar with the 33-year-old outfielder who has 102 stolen bases over 10 big league seasons, check out the finish from the Rangers-White Sox game on Aug. 28 of last season.

With Texas leading, 4-3, Jankowski entered as a ninth-inning defensive replacement as suggested by Venable, who was the Rangers' bench coach alongside manager Bruce Bochy. Andrew Vaughn connected for what looked like a walk-off three-run homer off reliever Andrew Chafin, only to have Jankowski make a truly spectacular over-the-fence grab to preserve the win. It was one of the most gut-wrenching setbacks for the White Sox among the 121 from ¡®24.

¡°I apologized to Vaughnie the next day on first base,¡± a smiling Jankowski said Wednesday. ¡°And then I gave him a hug when I came in here and said, 'I¡¯m sorry, man.' I told him if he finishes with 399 career homers, I¡¯m going to have to buy him a car or something. I still feel bad about that. But I had to do it.¡±

Thorpe making strides
There was some real anxiousness for Drew Thorpe before Tuesday¡¯s live BP session, graduating from side sessions as he recovers from right elbow soreness/inflammation related to a Sept. 7 surgery to shave down a bone spur.

¡°I think I was out there 30 minutes earlier than I should have been,¡± Thorpe said. ¡°That was a good step in the right direction. So just continue to build up and keep stacking good days.¡±

Thorpe threw all his pitches among the 21 and will have a two-up live BP on Saturday. The hope is for some sort of game action to follow soon thereafter.