GLENDALE, Ariz. — A darkish cloud hangs above the White Sox, who misplaced video games in record-setting trend final season. There’s no getting round it, even 5 months faraway from loss No. 121, a 4-1 setback Sept. 27 in Detroit.
Contained in the Sox’ clubhouse at Camelback Ranch, there are not any traces to be seen or heard of 2024, as dangerous because it was. Gamers put together for the day’s drills, and pitchers prepare for his or her bullpen classes or reside batting-practice classes. They’re making an attempt to make a residing at a tough sport, and every has his personal profession to fret about inside the framework of being workforce guys.
“It’s fairly easy,” right-hander Davis Martin instructed the Solar-Occasions on Friday. “It’s a brand new workforce, a brand new season. Repair the issues from 2024, and know that half these guys aren’t even within the room proper now. Transfer ahead with the workforce we now have, bond and prepare to go for 2025.”
Catcher Korey Lee, first baseman Andrew Vaughn, outfielders Luis Robert Jr., Andrew Benintendi and Dominic Fletcher and relievers Jordan Leasure and Steven Wilson are the one ones from the 2024 Opening Day roster nonetheless right here.
13 different pitchers in camp appeared in video games final 12 months, together with Martin, who positioned himself for a spot within the rotation with a 4.32 ERA in 11 video games, together with 10 begins. Martin’s file was 0-5, a reminder of simply how onerous wins have been to return by.
“If you happen to’re a competitor and also you say final 12 months wasn’t onerous, you’re mendacity by means of your enamel,” Martin stated. “Now, was the locker room distinctive? Completely. A few of these guys I nonetheless have a relationship with; issues simply didn’t go our means. We play baseball on the highest degree, and the opposite 29 groups are actually good. It’s robust. However we’re nicely past it now. It’s historic historical past for lots of us on this locker room.”
Deliver on the Cubs!
Cactus League play opens Saturday at Sloan Park.
“Mesa on a Saturday, we all know there’s going to be lots of people there, and that rivalry is actual,” first-year supervisor Will Venable stated. “It’s a Cactus League sport, however we need to go in and win and execute all of the issues we’ve been engaged on in camp.”
Left-hander Jared Shuster will begin for the Sox. Oscar Colas, Robert and ex-Cub Mike Tauchman will begin within the outfield. The beginning infielders can be Miguel Vargas at third base, Colson Montgomery at shortstop, Chase Meidroth at second and Brandon Drury at first. Matt Thaiss at catcher and Bobby Dalbec at designated hitter are additionally anticipated to start out.
Bush takes Tommy John in stride
Prospect Ky Bush is just the newest pitcher to have Tommy John surgical procedure, the reconstructive elbow process that appears inevitable for nearly any pitcher as of late.
“You are feeling like, as a pitcher, you’re due sooner or later in your profession to get this surgical procedure,” Bush stated. “You don’t need it to occur . . . however you possibly can simply use it to virtually make your profession higher and are available again stronger than earlier than. So simply take this time and reap the benefits of it, actually. I’ve a 12 months to sort of reconnect and refocus on issues and are available again higher.”
Bush, a left-hander, was acquired from the Angels with catcher Edgar Quero in a commerce for Lucas Giolito and Reynaldo Lopez in 2023. He’s anticipated to overlook 12 to fifteen months.
