White Sox notes: Sale moves on, Eaton plays, DH options

GLENDALE, Ariz. – If you’re among those who’ve had enough of the Adam LaRoche this week, Chris Sale’s “day after” piece about moving on will be music to your ears.

“From yesterday on we’re showing up to play baseball,’’ Sale said. “There isn’t anything else to talk about. We have a job to do and I think going forward, moving forward, that’s what we’re here for.’’

On Friday, Sale called vice president Ken Williams a liar in a 14-minute rant about the LaRoche son-in-the-clubhouse saga. On Saturday, he made his first Cactus League appearance after throwing in B games and simulated games on the backfields.

“There’s a big difference between getting out on the big field and there’s a crowd there and I guess music playing, atmosphere, I was prepared for it, I was jacked up for it,’’ Sale said after throwing 85 pitches over 5 1/3 innings in the Sox’ 4-2 win over Clayton Kershaw and the Dodgers.

“It’s good [to put Friday behind]. That’s what we’re here for. I’m here to get ready for the season. I think collectively as a group we’re doing that and when Day 1 comes we’re going to be just as good as anyone.’’

Eaton in the outfield

Adam Eaton, who had been restricted to designated hitter duty all spring while building strength in his (left) throwing shoulder, played left field. Austin Jackson played center, which is where he figures to settle in as the everyday guy.

“I haven’t played right or left in a while but we’re making our team better with Austin out there and I’m excited about that,” Eaton said.

Eaton was the Sox center fielder his first two seasons. He has played both corner positions with the Arizona Diamondbacks, in the minor leagues and in college.

Eaton said he has thrown so much that he was ready to play a week ago “but there was no reason to push it.”

The DH spot

With LaRoche gone, and Jackson in center, left fielder Melky Cabrera and right fielder Avisail Garcia could be rotated into designated hitter duty this season.

Neither has done much at DH, and “they don’t like it all that much, but that’s where we’re at,” Ventura said.

“They’re team guys and they’ll do it if they have to, but the pride factor is they want to play. I totally understand that, but we’re in a situation where somebody might have to do that on occasion, but it will rotate around, definitely.”

Catching on

Dioner Navarro caught Sale, who has been throwing to Avila a lot on the backfields.

“We’re trying to get them acclimated with everybody,” Ventura said of his catching tandem. “You want them with the starters, you want them with the relievers. I don’t think there’s a set one guy, like a personal catcher situation.’’

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Email: dvanschouwen@suntimes.com