GLENDALE, Ariz. — Third baseman Todd Frazier sat out Wednesday with what he called an oblique issue, the second injury to a potential Opening Day starter in spring training.
Manager Rick Renteria called Frazier “day-to-day,” but as is always the case with obliques, the injury can linger.
Frazier said it occurred swinging a bat. He described it as “a little tightness.’’
“I’d have to say it’s probably an oblique strain,’’ Frazier said. “It’s something I’ve dealt with before, but at the same time, from what I’ve heard, they’re not anything to mess with. So let’s take a couple of days to see how it is and go from there.’’
“We’ll back him up,’’ Renteria said. “We’ll see where he’s at before I determine how far back we have to push him back.’’
Center fielder Charlie Tilson has a sore right foot and is out 10 days. Tilson had the inside track to start in center field.
“That’s what spring training is for, you’ve got to just be careful,’’ Frazier said. “Herm [Schneider] has been working with me the past day and a half.
“I don’t feel like it’s anything that is serious, but we have so much time. Let’s take a break, take a few days off and hopefully it keeps getting better and better. It’s not something I’m worried about.’’
Starting off on the wrong foot
Tilson, who suffered a stress reaction in his right foot, was fit for orthotics “which should help me going forward,’’ he said. “And I’m in the training room every day not only working on my foot but continuing with my initial rehab.’’
Tilson, who still is working to get his surgically repaired left hamstring back to 100 percent, is trying to stay positive.
“I take it in stride and turn a negative into a positive,’’ he said. “It will be a good chance for me to continue stabilizing my left leg and get me more in balance. It’s a minor setback, and these things happen. I’ll be rolling in no time.’’
Gonzalez makes an impression
Catching coordinator John Orton likes what he sees of Alfredo Gonzalez, one of two catchers (along with Omar Narvaez) on the 40-man roster.
“Yeah, big time,’’ Orton said. “He has a ton of talent. Athletic, good hands and can really throw — probably his strength.’’
The Sox acquired the 6-1, 230-pound Gonzalez, 24, from the Astros for cash considerations after he was designated for -assignment in July. Batting .158 in
Class AA got him designated after he had produced a .321/.409/.378 slash line over three levels in 2015.
“It’s a matter of things clicking with the bat,’’ Orton said. “He definitely has the skill set to be a major-league catcher.’’
Geovany Soto is also in camp, signed to a minor-league deal.
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Email: dvanschouwen@suntimes.com
