Cactus League takes on a regular-season feel for Danks

GLENDALE, Ariz. -- With two on and nobody out in the fifth inning for the Rangers, White Sox pitching coach Don Cooper paid a visit to John Danks during Tuesday's 7-6 White Sox victory at Camelback Ranch.

Suddenly the Cactus League contest took on a regular-season feel via the words of wisdom Cooper shared with his starter.

"That was as close to an in-season mound visit as you are going to get," said Danks with a smile. "Kind of pointing out certain scouting report for the guy that's coming up and some mechanical flaws and things he's noticing from the dugout. It made total sense.

"First batter [Josh Wilson], I threw a couple of changeups that I'm accustomed to getting swings at and he didn't even come close to offering at it. I was doing certain things that were showing the ball early and Coop saw it and came out and told me. That will be something we'll work on the side to keep from doing."

The White Sox hope Danks' strong Cactus League showing in terms of location and the return of his cutter also has a regular-season feel.

"He's stronger. I think he throws a little harder," said White Sox manager Robin Ventura of Danks. "Consistently he can do that. That just helps with his location being able to place it where he wants. That's going to be the biggest key. He has a better ability to do that than he has in probably the last year and a half."