CHICAGO -- Dallas Keuchel has worked extensively out of the stretch during Summer Camp at Guaranteed Rate Field, although he allowed no baserunners over 3 2/3 innings in an intrasquad game on Wednesday. The veteran left-hander might follow that same stretch-only approach during the season.

“I might be a left-handed, softer version of Stephen Strasburg,” said Keuchel during a Wednesday Zoom call. “The windup really hasn’t felt phenomenal to me, but then the other side of it is that the stretch has felt so locked in that I might just go with that.

“I’m going to continue to work on everything and see where it goes in the next 10 days, because as soon as something clicks in the windup, it’s just going to be there like the stretch is. Right now it’s not there. But it’s nothing that I’m worried about, because I’m able to make quality pitches right now in the stretch. I’m in a great place and right where I want to be.”

Being efficient has been the only problem, of sorts, for Keuchel during his intrasquad starts, as he needed only 34 pitches to get through three innings on Wednesday. He hopes to get to 4 2/3 innings or five innings on Monday against the Cubs in what will be his final start before the regular season.

“Some guys have already been four innings or five innings from the get-go,” he said. “That’s all great, but I was kind of hovering at two or three innings in Arizona during the [shutdown].

“So I’m not trying to push myself. I know exactly where I’m at and where I need to be. My mental hurdle is going to be the 4 2/3 or five innings and kind of push that pitch count up. if I can get to 4 2/3 or five innings the next one, I think I should be ready to go for six-plus the first outing.”

Collins continues to hit

Catcher Zack Collins, the team’s top pick in the 2016 Draft, homered for the second time during intrasquad action on Wednesday. He told MLB.com about feeling the most prepared he has as a professional during Summer Camp, and the on-field results are backing up his comments.

“His pedigree tells us that’s what he’s going to do, and he’s getting better at it,” said third-base coach Nick Capra of Collins’ power. “Obviously, he has a ways to go, but he has some pop in his bat and a good idea what he’s doing at the plate.

“He doesn’t chase a lot of bad pitches, and when he puts the ball in play, it seems like it’s hard contact. We like where he’s at right now.”

Third to first

• Manager Rick Renteria was not with the club on Wednesday but could return for Thursday night's game. He will be back once he clears the protocol after traveling to California last Thursday for a family funeral.

• Ross Detwiler started opposite Keuchel on Wednesday as he pushes for one of the last bullpen spots on the 30-man roster to begin the 60-game season.

“At the beginning of the season, the starts are going to be a little shorter, and I think I can fill that role there,” Detwiler said. “It's something I did last year, either coming out of the 'pen or [making] a spot start or what have you. Any time they want to hand me the ball.”

• Dylan Cease and Carlos Rodón are scheduled to start on Thursday night, with Reynaldo López expected to work four innings in relief.

He said it

“He could be something special for years to come. I wholeheartedly know why the front office tried to lock him up before he even got to the big leagues.” -- Keuchel, the latest White Sox player with high praise for Luis Robert