GOODYEAR, Ariz. — As trade rumors around White Sox ace Dylan Cease intensified after weeks of quiet, he made his third strong start of the spring Tuesday against the Reds.
One report, however — that the Yankees had heightened interest in the wake of right-hander Gerrit Cole’s arm issue — didn’t have much substance, according to multiple sources.
Normal conversations between Sox general manager Chris Getz and other teams continue, though. The Rangers and Padres are thought to be among them as Getz seeks a package of prospects and/or young major-league-ready players.
‘‘Yeah, Chris called me and kind of gave me a heads-up,’’ Cease said. ‘‘He said there were rumors going around, pretty much.’’
With two years of contract control left, Cease reminded everyone why he is a coveted commodity, pitching against the Reds as though he were in midseason form. He struck out eight in 3⅓ innings and gave up one run and two hits, including a home run to Jonathan India. Cease threw 63 pitches, 41 for strikes.
‘‘Really good,’’ Cease said. ‘‘For any outing. Command, the heater, throwing the offspeed [pitch] for strikes, throwing the slider, strike to ball, very good.’’
Meanwhile, Cease remains unfazed by the trade talk.
‘‘It just is not something that’s really that big of a deal,’’ he said. ‘‘I mean, it’s out of my control. Really, I am just going to perform, like I’ve said. Either way, I don’t view it as a negative.’’
Manager Pedro Grifol was asked whether he thinks Cease will be the Sox’ Opening Day starter March 28 against the Tigers.
‘‘I don’t know,’’ Grifol said. ‘‘I mean, how am I supposed to know that? ... I don’t know where other teams are, what their urgency is.’’
Nastrini sharp, too
Right-hander Nick Nastrini continued his good showing this spring with three scoreless innings of one-hit ball. He struck out seven and walked two.
Nastrini (1.29 ERA) was acquired from the Dodgers in the trade for pitcher Lance Lynn and Joe Kelly last summer.
Lambert, Berroa to see doctors
Reliever Jimmy Lambert’s right shoulder still isn’t right, which means he can be eliminated from the list of those vying for a spot in the bullpen on Opening Day. Prospect Prelander Berroa, who didn’t finish his most recent outing Monday, will have his sore right shoulder examined.
The Sox had said Lambert, who has been out since Feb. 29, would miss 10 to 14 days. On Tuesday, however, they said he is having lingering shoulder issues and will get a second opinion from Dr. Neal ElAttrache on Thursday in Los Angeles.
Berroa, who was acquired in a trade with the Mariners for right-hander Gregory Santos, ‘‘wasn’t comfortable’’ facing the Rockies, Grifol said.
‘‘He’s going to see the doctors and see where it’s at,’’ Grifol said.
Montgomery reassigned to minors
Top shortstop prospect Colson Montgomery, who was 2-for-17 in Cactus League games, was one of eight players sent out Monday.
Montgomery, infielder Tim Elko and catcher Carlos Perez were reassigned to minor-league camp; outfielders Peyton Burdick and Zach DeLoach, left-hander Bailey Horn and right-hander Alex Speas were optioned to Triple-A Charlotte; and third baseman Bryan Ramos was optioned to Double-A Birmingham.
Montgomery wasn’t expected to make the Opening Day roster.
‘‘He’s obviously ultratalented,’’ Grifol said. ‘‘He does a lot of things right on the field. And all he’s got to do now is go play. ... But one of the things I told him was that he’s always on the clock.’’
Sox 14, Reds 1
Dylan Cease allowed one run and two hits, struck out eight and walked one in 3⅓ innings.
• Luis Robert Jr. hit his first and second home runs of the spring in consecutive plate appearances. Mike Moustakas, Martin Maldonado and Lenyn Sosa also homered on the Sox’ best offensive night of the spring.
• The Sox played their top lineup with the exception of third baseman Yoan Moncada, who had played three games in a row and wanted to play a fourth, manager Pedro Grifol said. Grifol cited that desire as an indicator of the desire he wants to see. ‘‘He’s been excellent,’’ Grifol said. ‘‘His mentality and the way he’s going about it, the work he’s putting in, what he’s talking about.’’
• Despite the victory, the Sox’ 5-13 record in spring training is the worst in the majors.
• On deck: Sox at Brewers, 1:10 p.m. Wednesday, Phoenix, Erick Fedde vs. Bryse Wilson.
