SCOTTSDALE, Ariz. — White Sox pitchers Mike Clevinger and Michael Kopech have not appeared in Cactus League games yet, but their work in side sessions and live batting practice on the backfields of Camelback Ranch has impressed manager Pedro Grifol.
Kopech, who had knee surgery at the end of last season, is slightly behind the other starters in his progression but is on track to be ready for the start of the season. Expanding his arsenal to a useful four-pitch mix is a top priority this spring.
“He’s been phenomenal in all his side work, completely healthy, looks great,” Grifol said before Kopech threw live batting practice Thursday morning.
Clevinger’s status for the regular season is unclear because of Major League Baseball’s investigation into domestic-abuse allegations. The Sox say they are unsure of where it stands and when a resolution would be forthcoming.
“That’s above me, man, I don’t know anything about it,” Grifol said. “No news is good news in my mind. He’s in camp, he’s getting ready. And whenever that decision is made, it’s made. But right now, he’s in a good spot. Pitching-wise, he threw the ball really good yesterday. He works his [butt] off, he’s great at [pitching fielding practice], he’s diligent with his work. I’m really happy what I’m seeing here from him so far.”
Clevinger was signed to a one-year, $12 million contract in the offseason to fill out the rotation. Lance Lynn made his second start Thursday, Dylan Cease is scheduled for his first one Friday and Lucas Giolito is scheduled Sunday.
Lynn allows four runs in third
Preparing for the World Baseball Classic has Lynn ahead of his fellow Sox starters.
“It kind of gives you something to shoot for before the end of spring training,” Lynn said. “Right now, you are just making sure that when I go to the WBC, I’ll be ready to throw 60 pitches if need be. So that’s kind of where we are at. I get one more start before I go.”
Lynn threw 51 pitches in his second start. After breezing through the first two innings, he allowed four straight singles in the third and four runs. He struck out three batters and walked one.
“To be honest with you, the up-downs is all [that matters],” Lynn, 35, said. “That’s where you get your soreness. That’s where you get your getting back up, getting going again. Spring training is about the up-downs and the pitch count.”
Dave Nicholson, RIP
Dave Nicholson, who played for the Sox in 1963-65, has died. He was 83.
Nicholson homered three times in a doubleheader against the Kansas City Athletics on May 6, 1964, at Comiskey Park, with one homer leaving the park and measuring 573 feet.
Nicholson came to the Sox in a block-buster trade with the Orioles on Jan. 14, 1963. The Sox got Nicholson, Hoyt Wilhelm, Ron Hansen and Pete Ward for Luis Aparicio and Al Smith.
Sox 6, Rockies 4
• Hanser Alberto, trying to make the team as a utility infielder, went 3-for-3 with a double and triple. He’s 6-for-8 with four extra-base hits in three Cactus League games.
• Leury Garcia hit the Sox’ sixth homer in six games.
• Joe Kelly, healthy in spring training for the first time in three years, pitched a perfect inning in his first outing. Jimmy Lambert, who gave up two homers on three pitches in his first outing Monday, pitched a scoreless inning.
On deck: Reds at Sox, 2:05 p.m., Friday, Glendale, 1000-AM, Luke Weaver (0-0, 0.00) vs. Dylan Cease (0-0, 0.00).
