White Sox outfielder Andrew Vaughn’s hip is ‘tenfold’ better

GLENDALE, Ariz. — White Sox outfielder Andrew Vaughn’s hip feels much better than it did when he left a game on a cart Sunday.

“It’s tenfold better,” Vaughn said Wednesday morning after taking some swings in the batting cage at Camelback Ranch. “I was kind of shocked how quick I started to feel better. I thought I’d be on crutches for a week to two weeks. Second day, I came in, threw the crutches in the training room and said, ‘I’m good.’ ’’

Playing right field, Vaughn dived and caught a ball in the right-center alley and was taken off on a cart. He and the team feared the worst, but he suffered only a right hip pointer. Not that it was nothing.

“It’s kind of like the worst charley horse you’ve ever had,” Vaughn said. “It’s kind of lingering, but it’s going away.”

Vaughn was scared when his leg gave out after the play.

“My mind went to the worst,” he said.

The Sox said Vaughn might return to game action in one to two weeks. Opening Day next Friday in Detroit might be a reach, but Vaughn wouldn’t speculate.

“I’m just looking forward to tomorrow, seeing how I feel the next day,” he said. “[Opening Day] is the hope, but you can’t rush things.”

Vaughn stretched with the team on the field Wednesday morning and will continue receiving treatment.

“It’s just a nasty bruise, and you have to get rid of the pressure,” he said.

“It’s all on feel, and I’m feeling really good right now.”

Adam Engel started in right field in Wednesday’s Cactus League game against the Rangers and moved to center.

Vaughn converted from first base to left field last season and is expected to get a sizable amount of reps in right field this season.

“It’s become more natural,” he said of playing in the outfield. “It really has.”

Haseley expected on Thursday

Newcomer Adam Haseley, acquired in a trade Tuesday with the Phillies two days after Vaughn was hurt, was not in camp Wednesday morning but was expected Thursday.

Haseley figures to open the season with Triple-A Charlotte.

“He’s getting in here late, but we’ll throw him in the mix,” manager Tony La Russa said.

“Anxious to get him in here and see what he looks like.”

Hold ’em

The Sox worked on defending the steal on the back fields again. It has been a point of emphasis in camp, mostly for the pitchers, after opposing teams stole 119 bases against them last year, the most in the majors.

Getting better?

“We shall see,” La Russa said, “but we’re definitely giving it the attention it deserves.”

Sox catchers threw out 24 runners, a 17% clip.