Adam LaRoche leaves White Sox game with back spasms

SURPRISE, Ariz. — White Sox first baseman Adam LaRoche left Saturday’s Cactus League game against the Kansas City Royals with back spasms.

LaRoche, who homered in his first game of the spring on Friday, flied out to left field and popped out to third base in his first two at-bats against the Royals’ Ian Kennedy. He went to the trainer’s room in the visitors clubhouse for treatment with Sox trainer Herm Schneider.

As LaRoche was leaving the ballpark, he told reporters he hurt his lower right back on a swing.

“It hurts,” he said.

Manager Robin Ventura said this of LaRoche’s hitting during camp on Friday: “It looks a lot better. I know he’s in great shape, and the ball is coming off the bat a little better than it has. It’s good to see him, especially against a lefty, get something like that.”

It was an encouraging first game for LaRoche, who struggled in his first year as a designated hitter, batting .207 with 12 homers and 44 RBI in 484 plate appearances. He signed a two-year, $25 million contract as a free agent before the 2015 season.