SURPRISE, Ariz. -- The return of White Sox catcher Yasmani Grandal is scheduled for Saturday’s contest against the Angels and Shohei Ohtani, unless you factor in the switch-hitter’s four at-bats taken during a 1-1 tied in a "B" game against the Rangers Friday.
Grandal, who has not played in a Cactus League contest due to twisting his right knee in running drills on Feb. 24, flied out to center in his first plate appearance against the Rangers’ Kyle Gibson and then grounded to second. He finished 1-for-4 and will start at designated hitter when facing the Angels at Camelback Ranch.
“[White Sox head athletic trainer James] Kruky worked out a schedule,” said White Sox manager Tony La Russa of Grandal during a Friday Zoom. “So you test him that way, see how he’s moving.”
La Russa didn’t reveal the date when Grandal would be back behind the plate but thinks he might even be ready a few days before that projected time.
“He’s doing a lot of the catching drills,” La Russa said. “He’s an experienced catcher, so he knows our pitchers. He’s on time and we’re excited. Had a couple drills the last couple of days that he was a part of, and he hit the ball as good as anybody.”
Jiménez getting in a groove
White Sox left fielder Eloy Jiménez is getting his timing back at the plate. Need proof?
How about his home run and triple launched last night against the Reds in Goodyear, Ariz.?
“I feel more comfortable at the plate, so I'm starting to get more results. I think I'm good right now,” Jiménez said. “I just need to keep getting at-bats. That's the key right now.”
Jiménez’s triple hit off the center-field wall and rolled into left-center, while his home run hit the scoreboard in left. Always good for a smile during his Zoom, Jiménez was asked Friday which hit he preferred.
“What do you think?” Jiménez asked.
When the reporter picked the triple, Jiménez followed with, “OK, that one. I liked both.”
Hendriks’ White Sox debut
After throwing a scoreless inning in his White Sox Cactus League debut during Texas’ 3-2 victory Friday, Liam Hendriks was introduced as the team’s closer on the Zoom.
“Reliever,” Hendriks said with a smile. “White Sox reliever.”
Since the start of camp, Hendriks has refused to call himself the team’s closer, although he absolutely will be the team’s closer. It’s part of the process he has followed to success over the last few years, so why change what has worked? Hendriks simply was happy to face hitters other than his teammates and enjoyed some byplay with the White Sox fans in attendance.
“We had a good little contingency out here today, which is nice,” Hendriks said. “First time I’ve thrown in front of fans in a while, which is also nice.
“It was nice to get back on the mound. I was happy with the fastball coming out, got a couple of swings and misses. And threw a good slider in there.”
Third to first
? Yoelqui Cespedes played right field and finished 0-for-2 during Friday’s "B" game. He grounded out in his first at-bat against Dane Dunning, who was traded to the Rangers by the White Sox for Lance Lynn during this past offseason. Cespedes, the team’s No. 6 prospect, per MLB Pipeline, is taking part in the team’s Minor League mini-camp.
? Right-handed reliever Matt Foster had a Spring Training setback due to what La Russa describe as soreness, but he’s throwing and expected to be in a game in a couple of days. Right-hander Michael Kopech originally was listed as one of Friday’s pitchers, per La Russa. But he felt a little tightness in his calf and instead threw a bullpen session.
“It’s one of those things that happen when you go out there and you get a nick or a bruise and the worst you can try to do is to try to play through it,” La Russa said. “When you have the luxury of a couple of weeks left, you want to be as healthy as possible.”
? Andrew Vaughn had two hits and a walk on Friday, raising his average to .350 and his OPS to 1.050.
He said it
“It just shows the desire, it's as simple as that. Not wanting to roll innings, not wanting to tarnish the game of baseball in that aspect, and that's playing nine innings, that's playing 27 outs, those types of things. It's our job to go out and compete for 27 outs or compete for as long as we can. Obviously, if you're out there playing the game, you're here to win. We show up every day, so we might as well win.” -- Reliever Aaron Bummer, on La Russa caring about Cactus League victories