Roach 'excited' to get to start in spring opener

GLENDALE, Ariz. -- Donn Roach stood in the middle of the White Sox clubhouse at their Camelback Ranch complex and briefly thought about his career.

The 29-year-old from Las Vegas spoke of his great run for Triple-A Charlotte in 2018, finishing with a 9-2 record and 2.65 ERA. He talked about pitching in Korea during the ’17 season and then leaving Charlotte last year to pitch in Japan, where he basically started every Tuesday due to the active roster configurations.

Roach even talked about his .400 average over five total at-bats.

“I think I’ve only struck out once,” said a smiling Roach.

But throughout the years, Roach never remembers starting a Cactus League contest; not the Cactus League opener, which Roach will get the honor of for the White Sox at home against the Dodgers with a 2:05 p.m. CT first pitch Saturday at Camelback Ranch.

“It’s really cool,” Roach said. “I’ve always been the second or third guy. I’m excited for it.

“For a guy like me, I don't think I have the leisure of really working on stuff during games. I have to get outs right away.”

While Roach is focused on getting outs during what most likely will be two innings of work, White Sox fans will be focused on their future performing in the present. Yoan Moncada is scheduled to get his first action at third base with the White Sox in Mesa against Oakland as part of this split-squad Saturday, with second baseman Nick Madrigal and outfielder Luis Robert also scheduled as part of the trip.

White Sox manager Rick Renteria mentioned Eloy Jimenez, the top White Sox prospect and No. 3 overall per MLB Pipeline, will be in action Saturday as well. Barring any other moves coming on the heels of the reported Ervin Santana signing Friday, the White Sox don’t have a great deal of positions open on their 25-man roster.

There will be plenty of good competition, even more so than in the first two years of the rebuild, with a good number of rising prospects and veterans who have been added to the mix.

“Do I like competition? Absolutely. Does it put a fire under you? Absolutely,” Renteria said. “It makes you better, always has.

“Competition works that way. And it shows you where we’re at as an organization, that’s a positive takeaway for me. As [general manager] Rick [Hahn] and [executive vice president] Kenny [Williams] do things to put us in a better position, competition will always breed better performance.”

Santana will compete with Manny Banuelos, Dylan Covey and Jordan Stephens for the fifth starter’s spot. Renteria said Carlos Rodon, Reynaldo Lopez, Ivan Nova and Lucas Giolito, the front four in the rotation, will be held back until later next week.

Banuelos is out of options, so he joins Covey as possible long-relief candidates. Nicky Delmonico and Daniel Palka appear to be the leading candidates in left, while players such as Jose Rondon and Brandon Guyer will be battling for the final bench spot.

Their individual goals might be slightly different. But as Roach stated, the team goal remains the same.

“Winning every day and striving for a world championship, committing to win a world championship,” Roach said. “That's my main goal with a lot of personal ones in between.”