GLENDALE, Ariz. -- White Sox reliever John Brebbia is slated to throw a side session on Thursday, marking a step forward for the veteran right-hander who¡¯s dealing with a right calf strain.

Brebbia has ditched the mobility scooter and walking boot being used for a week and is comfortably moving around.

¡°The scooter and the boot were extra precautions,¡± Brebbia said. ¡°I never really felt all that terrible, but it was hey, can¡¯t be moving around much kind of thing. I¡¯m happy to be out of those, walking around.

¡°It feels good so far. Progressing as it should. Every day I get to do a little bit more, a little bit more. Keep hoping until I¡¯m in full blown sprints, cuts and not have to worry about anything bad happening.¡±

Despite the injury setback, Brebbia threw every day. He smiled and admitted the boot hindered the throwing a little bit, but it was the boot and not the injury.

There was uncertainty on Brebbia¡¯s part as to how many Cactus League games he¡¯ll need to be ready for Opening Day, having never dealt with a Spring Training hampered by a physical malady.

¡°That¡¯s a good question. The best indicator for me is how I bounce back after outings,¡± Brebbia said. ¡°Once you go two-out-of-three or back-to-back, which generally happens at the end of spring, like, ¡®Oh, OK, this is how I normally feel in season or else it¡¯s just a tick more sore than in-season.¡¯

¡°That¡¯s my barometer for like, ¡®Cool let¡¯s start.¡¯ I¡¯ve never done a back-to-back right out of the gate in Spring Training so I couldn¡¯t tell you about that. But it¡¯s usually a small handful of outings, four or five outings before it¡¯s, ¡®OK, let¡¯s do it. Let¡¯s do two out of three,¡¯ and I haven¡¯t had any issues.¡±

Iguchi returns

Tadahito Iguchi was in White Sox camp on Wednesday, with Yoshinobu Yamamoto starting for the Dodgers in their 12-9 Cactus League victory. The second baseman for the 2005 World Series champion White Sox has noticed a change in Japan in regards to baseball with Yamamoto and Shohei Ohtani, the reigning American League Most Valuable Player, now part of the Dodgers.

¡°In Japan, last year, every baseball fan was red. But now they change the color to the [Dodger] blue,¡± Iguchi said through an interpreter. ¡°Everyone is wearing the blue.¡±

Iguchi, 49, looks as if he still could play a solid second base, but he instead begins his second year as a studio analyst on television. The White Sox are bringing back SoxFest in January 2025, in part to honor the 20-year anniversary of the ¡®05 World Series champions. And Iguchi will be in attendance after playing such an integral role on that dominant team.

¡°I¡¯m really looking forward to it, coming back to Chicago,¡± Iguchi said. ¡°That [World Series] championship came in my rookie year and with such wonderful teammates. That¡¯s the best memories for me in Chicago.¡±

A smiling Iguchi paused and added in Japanese, ¡°and the manager,¡± referring to Ozzie Guillen.

¡®B¡¯ ready

Nick Nastrini, ranked as the No. 6 White Sox prospect by MLB Pipeline, and Jonathan Cannon, who checks in at No. 8, will each throw two innings in a ¡®B¡¯ game against the Reds on Thursday. Jake Eder, the club's No. 7 prospect, also is on the list to pitch for Chicago.