Chris Sale calls White Sox manager Rick Renteria ‘a great baseball mind’

Chris Sale and Rick Renteria spent only one season together with the White Sox. But Renteria left a pretty positive impression on Sale in that time.

‘‘He’s a great baseball mind; he’s a great person,’’ Sale said. ‘‘I think he’s a guy that can get anybody in that clubhouse — or anybody in any clubhouse — to buy in to something.

‘‘He’s a fun guy to be around, but he’s that no-B.S. [type]. He wants you to run hard. He expects the best out of you. I think we’ve seen that at times from him as a manager already, and I think that’s where the respect comes from.’’

The 2016 season was Sale’s last in Chicago before he was traded to the Red Sox in a deal that brought back infielder Yoan Moncada and right-hander Michael Kopech, among others, and began the Sox’ rebuild. Renteria was the bench coach that season for Robin Ventura and was hired to manage the Sox after Ventura departed following the season.

Since then, Sale got the last out of the World Series last season and signed a five-year, $145 million contract extension.

The Sox still might be a bit away from getting to the playoffs, but Sale praised Renteria.

‘‘I’ve said it before: I think he’s the right guy in the right place for what they’ve got going on,’’ Sale said. ‘‘I’m happy for him.’’

The 2016 season wasn’t exactly smooth for Sale. It began in spring training, when Sale was outspoken during the Drake LaRoche controversy. Then Sale opted to cut up late-1970s throwback jerseys rather than pitch in them July 23.

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Through that, however, Sale still went 17-10 with a 3.34 ERA.

‘‘He’s a competitor, and I think he’s one of those guys that shows it,’’ Renteria said. ‘‘He’ll show his emotion when he’s disgusted with something and also show you an extreme amount of joy when he sees something done well. He’s driven for success. He knows what he has, and he expects the most out of himself. And if it doesn’t happen, he always feels bad about not getting the result he wants.’’

Hansen moves up

Right-hander Alec Hansen was promoted back to Class AA Birmingham after compiling a 2.13 ERA and 21 strikeouts in 12 2/3 innings in nine appearances at Class A Winston-Salem.

Hansen entered the 2018 season as one of the top prospects in the Sox’ system, but he didn’t pitch until June because of an arm injury and struggled in Birmingham (6.56 ERA) before being sent to Winston-Salem, where he finished last season.

‘‘Hopefully they’re pushing and driving enough to put themselves on the map to be here, and then that will be another process of growth and learning,’’ Renteria said. ‘‘Hopefully there’s some success there.’’

This and that

Renteria had no update on left-hander Carlos Rodon, who is on the injured list with an elbow issue and might miss significant time.

• Outfielder Jon Jay (hip), who hasn’t played this season, worked out again Saturday and is moving closer to returning.

• Right-hander Dylan Covey is expected to start Sunday, though it might be a bullpen day for the Sox.