SCOTTSDALE, Ariz. -- Carlos Rodon figures to get the Opening Day nod when the White Sox travel to Kansas City for a March 28 contest at Kauffman Stadium.
It would be an individual honor, but the team goal in the context of the upcoming season is more important to the 26-year-old southpaw.
“I’d just like to get that first win on Day 1,” Rodon said. “It doesn’t matter who gets the ball.”
Rodon took a step toward Opening Day with a 40-pitch simulated game on the White Sox backfields at Camelback Ranch on Monday morning. He got up and down three times, throwing 20 pitches, 15 pitches and then five more in the last simulated frame.
Describing the effort as “good, smooth,” Rodon worked basically on location.
“Front-hip two-seam, front-hip slider to lefties, back-door two-seamers,” said Rodon, getting more specific on his Monday focus. “Some weakness stuff I’m not the greatest at. Refine that and get it ready for the season. You can truly get your work in, manipulate the situation.”
Monday’s simulated action also featured Rodon throwing to James McCann, who will be catching Rodon for the first time this season. During Rodon’s warmups, McCann was joking with the lefty about having a set routine being that he is an ace.
That "ace" terminology sounded good to Rodon, who is coming off a completely healthy offseason.
“Pretty cool,” said Rodon. “I just want to prove it.
“James is pretty good back there. Him and I have already started a good relationship and Welington [Castillo] and I have a good relationship, too.”
There’s a chance Rodon throws one more simulated game before getting into Cactus League competition.
Palka feeling better
After leaving in the second inning of Sunday’s Cactus League loss in Peoria, Daniel Palka reported improvement with his tight left hamstring on Monday.
“Even when they stretched me out this morning, they were like, 'It’s night and day,'” Palka said. “Right when we got in there yesterday, it was double cramping up on both sides of my leg. It’s my fault. I didn’t hydrate well at all that night or during the day when we were out on the field.”
Palka doesn’t figure the injury will cost him much Spring Training time.
“Maybe a game or two, but I mean, just going to make sure it’s 100 percent so it’s not a lingering issue,” said Palka. “It’s a feeling I’ve had before.
“It’s kind of one of those early season things where when you get it in-season, you are not going to say anything. You are going to play. Since it is Spring Training, I’m not going to take any chances.”
Banuelos impressive in debut
Manny Banuelos’ first Cactus League start as part of the White Sox was a good one, as he struck out four Giants over two innings during Monday's 4-4 draw in Scottsdale and hit 93 mph.
“At the beginning of the game, I was checking the radar to see how my fastball was,” said Banuelos through interpreter Billy Russo. “I was 92 and I felt good, confident. I wasn’t sure how my arm would respond today because I had a few months without pitching in a real game. I just wanted to test it. It was good. I was happy.”
Banuelos and Dylan Covey, who pitched two scoreless innings in relief, looked to be the leading fifth-starter candidates before the White Sox added Ervin Santana. But Banuelos remains focused on what he can do with this opportunity.
“Honestly, I don’t think about that stuff, about who the team signs,” Banuelos said. “I know what the team is trying to do is put us in a better position to win and compete.
“I just try to control the things I can control, do my work and get ready to pitch and do the best I can whenever I have the ball in my hand. I don’t have anything to be concerned about right now.”
Up next
Jimmy Lambert, ranked by MLB Pipeline as the White Sox No. 21 prospect, gets the start on Tuesday at Camelback Ranch in a home game against the Royals. First pitch is scheduled for 2:05 p.m. CT. The White Sox regular rotation begins action Wednesday with Reynaldo Lopez getting the start.
They said it
“When that actually happened, I felt like, ‘Wow, they are really, really into me.’ That gave me confidence. And I like it. I like the team, I like the colors and I like the White Sox organization.” -- Banuelos, on the White Sox trading with the Dodgers instead of waiting for him to become a free agent