GLENDALE, Ariz. – Luisangel Acuña returned to the White Sox lineup during Monday’s Cactus League loss to the Giants after being sidelined since Feb. 25 with a gash over his left eyebrow that needed four stitches to close.
Acuña didn’t seem to be slowed by the time off the field due to an injury suffered when his helmet connected with his face while successfully stealing second. The right-handed hitter finished 2-for-3 with the first home run as a member of his new team.
“I didn’t leave my focus during the days I wasn’t playing,” said Acuña through interpreter Billy Russo. “I was still working out and doing all my stuff. I was going to the cage with a purpose and I was able to execute the job that I was doing in the cage and the drills I was practicing. It felt good, coming back yesterday and being able to play and have the results.”
The White Sox seem ready to give Acuña a near-everyday, 500-plate-appearance Major League chance not readily available to him with the Mets. They value his speed, with Acuña swiping 16 bases in 95 games during the ‘25 season, and they value his defensive capabilities.
Versatility is key, as Acuña started at shortstop during Tuesday’s B game against the Dodgers. But he could be the team’s Opening Day center fielder and see plenty of time in that position vacated when Luis Robert Jr. was sent to the Mets in a trade bringing back Acuña.
“Knowing I was part of the trade that sent him to New York and sent me here, it’s special,” Acuña said. “I’m just happy in having this opportunity, I want to play every day. That’s all I want to do.
“Like I said before, I feel very comfortable [in center field]. And I’m very happy to play there. I played there in Venezuela and I felt very comfortable right away.”
PITCHING ADJUSTMENTS
Following Wednesday’s team off-day, the first of Spring Training for the White Sox, Shane Smith will pitch in an intrasquad game instead of facing the Guardians in back-to-back starts. Sean Burke now is scheduled to throw three innings vs. Cleveland Thursday night at Camelback Ranch, with Erick Fedde throwing three behind him
“Hagen has been really good,” said pitching coach Zach Bove. “The stuff is real from the left side. The fastball is really electric. The slider is really good.
“He’s been around the zone, too. It’s been a big focus. A little delayed with the Fall League stuff. But he’s been awesome and goes about it the right way.”
NEWCOMB STAYS CONSISTENT
Sean Newcomb has made two Cactus League starts for the White Sox and has been asked a form of the same question after both mound trips: Does the veteran southpaw have a greater preference for starting or relieving?
It’s a fair question considering Newcomb posted a 2-1 record with a 1.75 ERA and .214 opponents' average over 36 relief outings for the ‘25 Athletics, but is currently being stretched out as a starter after signing with the White Sox as a free agent. Newcomb reached 54 pitches during a 4-3 loss against the Padres Tuesday, striking out one and walking one.
So what is Newcomb’s choice?
“I just want the ball. It really doesn’t matter,” Newcomb said. “The aspect of starting I like, the routine and certainty when you are going to get in the game so you can kind of get the body ready. It’s a little easier.”
“Whatever is best for the team,” Bove said. “We’ll see that over the next month of Spring Training games. He can do both. It gives the ability to do that and we’ll see what happens at the end of spring.”