The Tigers announced that lefty Travis Wood, who is in camp as a non-roster invitee, left his debut with a sprained left knee today. Wood suffered the injury in a rundown and, per MLive.com’s Evan Woodbery, was “writhing on the ground” before eventually managing to limp off the field (Twitter link). Anthony Fenech of the Detroit Free Press tweets that Wood was on crutches in the clubhouse following the injury. Wood, who was released by the Padres this offseason, was in competition either for a rotation or bullpen spot, though today’s injury certainly doesn’t bode well for his chances of doing so. More information on his status figures to be available after the game.
More from the Central…
- Following Minnesota’s signing of Logan Morrison, manager Paul Molitor sat down with first baseman/DH Kennys Vargas, outfielder/DH Robbie Grossman and utility infielder Eduardo Escobar to discuss how the trio’s status could be impacted, writes Mike Berardino of the St. Paul Pioneer Press. Grossman and Vargas will be the most directly impacted with LoMo set to be the Twins’ primary DH, and both are out of minor league options. Grossman, who agreed to a $2MM salary in arbitration this offseason (albeit a non-guaranteed one, as is standard with arb deals), had a “very professional response” per Molitor. The switch-hitter acknowledged that he needs to demonstrate improved defensive skills in order to play a significant role on the team. While the Twins don’t technically need their fourth outfielder to be center-field capable due to the ability of corner outfielders Eddie Rosario and Max Kepler to man center, the lack of DH at-bats is problematic for Grossman, who made 61 appearances in that slot last season. It’s even tougher to see how Vargas fits into the equation, as he’s strictly limited to first and DH and is now behind both Morrison and Joe Mauer on the depth chart.
- Chris Kuc of the Chicago Tribune chats with White Sox skipper Rick Renteria, GM Rick Hahn and several of the team’s non-roster relievers about the battle for bullpen spots on the South Side of Chicago. The Pale Hose are hoping to catch lightning in a bottle as they did in 2017 with Anthony Swarzak (and Gregory Infante), Kuc notes, having brought in a host of veterans on minor league deals, including Jeanmar Gomez, Xavier Cedeno, Rob Scahill, Chris Volstad and Bruce Rondon. It’s obviously too early to anoint any sort of favorite to make the club — though Kuc does note that Gomez has whiffed five of the six hitters he’s faced — and Hahn spoke about various goals for each of those relievers in camp. “You take a guy like Xavier Cedeno, who battled injuries all last year — the first box he has to check is: be healthy,” says Hahn. “A guy like Bruce Rondon (has) to find the strike zone more, (so) his goals this spring might be a little different than for Cedeno.” The Sox should have at least two spots in the ’pen up for grabs. Joakim Soria, Infante, Juan Minaya and Luis Avilan are likely penciled in, and Danny Farquhar figures to have a spot too, given his lack of options.
Sox probably have about 4 bullpen spots up for grabs, and I don’t think Farquhar is 100% guaranteed a spot.
And if jones is healthy he sb on major roster
Nate Jones made his spring debut today versus the Reds and pitched a perfect inning of relief with a strike out and two ground outs. Jones is a lock for the White Sox bullpen if he is healthy and could also emerge as the team’s closer this season.
It just was never meant to be for wood. First he messes up his finger, now this. Shame.
Interesting that while Grossman handled things “very professionally”, the same was not said of Vargas…
Vargas was likely gone anyway. Just cuz you hit mammoth homeruns in batting practice does not mean you get a roster spot.
But you have to put yourself in his situation, Up until a couple of days ago he thought he had a job, now, it’s in jeopardy.
Welcome to life as a pro athlete
Grossman was probably told that if he wants ABs, he will have to get them in the OF. Vargas was probably told that if he wants ABs, it will be in the minors or on another team. I wonder how Grossman would have reacted to that.
Man, that sucks for wood. Huge fan of his from his Cub days. I hope he is ok.
he’s pretty easy to root for, I agree.
Great analysis, Steve!
The White Sox also brought back southpaw Hector Santiago on a minor league deal. He began his pro career with the White Sox and saw time as a starter, long reliever, lefty specialist short man and even closed on occasion. So far this spring Santiago has pitched 5 shutout innings with 5 K’s and no BB’s over two appearances.
The White Sox are stretching Santiago out with the idea that he could win a spot in their starting rotation which has a decent chance of happening with Carlos Rodon likely out until at least June and three young pitchers in Lucas Giolito, Reynaldo Lopez and Carson Fulmer competing for spots. Only veteran starters James Shields and Miguel Gonzalez are guaranteed rotation spots come opening day provided they are healthy. Giolito would also appear to be a lock based on his finish with the White Sox last season. Lopez and Fulmer also had their moments late last season but could also fill roles in the White Sox bullpen if need be. If either Lopez or Fulmer struggle in camp they will likely head to AAA Charlotte and continue working as starters.
I like Santiago as a lefty starter, if healthy. With three very young starters in Giolito, Lopez and Fulmer innings management is important. Shields and Gonzalez are older. Using six starters might make sense.
Six starters doesn’t make a whole lot of sense, especially early on in a season when weather can play havoc with the schedule of a midwest team like the White Sox. Carlos Rodon is also expected to be back in the rotation sometime in June.
While it’s also possible that the White Sox may have a flip candidate or two among their veteran starters this summer there also remains a good possibility that top pitching prospect Michael Kopech could earn a promotion for one of those spots with a solid first half at AAA Charlotte. Another top pitching prospect with elite command like Dane Dunning could also find himself on the fast track to the South Side later this season. Both Kopech and Dunning are in MLB camp and getting some exposure to big league hitters this month.
I’m 99.99% positive that barring any injuries, Giolito and Lopez are locks to start the season in the Sox rotation. They’ll likely trot out those two plus Shields/Gonzalez to start the year, and they’ll round out their starting 5 with either Fulmer or Santiago, depending on who performs better in camp.
So basically, it’s between the guys you already listed, but I’m adding Giolito and Lopez to the “guaranteed rotation spots come opening day provided they are healthy” list.
Looking forward to some of these kids
I’d give Lopez a better shot than Fulmer but it would seem that both would also need to have a credible spring camp and not just rely on their health in order to be “locks” for the White Sox rotation to begin the season.
The White Sox don’t have to force or rush any of their young arms to begin the 2018 if they struggle in Glendale. MLB service time can still be an issue while option years are not as of yet. The youngster should earn their spot first.