White Sox notes: Carlos Rodon, roster cuts

PHOENIX — After not allowing a run in his first two outings, Carlos Rodon was human in Maryvale, allowing seven hits including a homer to Jonathan Lucroy in the Milwaukee Brewers’ 5-2 Cactus League victor over the White Sox Wednesday.

Rodon walked one and struck out three over 3 1/3 innings. It took him 80 pitches (45 strikes) to get through it. In his previous outing against the Padres, the big left-hander pitched four scoreless innings without throwing a slider. In this one, he worked on back-door sliders.

“I threw a few good ones,’’ Rodon said. “It felt good. Just fell behind a couple guys and they hit the ball pretty hard.’’

“I’m about ready to throw the whole arsenal out there and see if I can get guys out. I’m ready to get this thing going.’’

In his second big-league camp, the former No. 3 overall pick has a bigger presence.

“He looks like he’s been around quite a few years,’’ manager Robin Ventura said. “He’s just a more comfortable kid. He has more control, presence, adding a little bit more of his changeup. He’s a more complete pitcher.’’

For the record

The Sox are 7-7-1 in Cactus League games as they aim to post a winning spring record after going 12-17-3 last spring. They’re 95-126-20 since moving to Glendale in 2009. They didn’t homer Wednesday but are on pace to hit 57 this spring after hitting 22 in 2015.

Cuts

The Sox are down to 44 players in camp after making five roster moves: Optioned catcher Kevan <cq>Smith to AAA Charlotte, optioned right-hander Michael Ynoa (who came with Jeff Samardzija from the Oakland A’s in the Dec. 2014 trade) to AA Birmingham, reassigned Arizona Fall League MVP outfielder Adam Engel, former first-round outfielder Courtney Hawkins and infielder Andy Parrino to minor-league camp.

On deck

Off day. But not for Chris Sale, Mat Latos and Erik Johnson, who are scheduled to throw on the backfields.

The Sox host the Cubs on Friday.

Daryl Van Schouwen