Surkamp working on adjustments

GLENDALE, Ariz. -- The White Sox already have picked a few things to change with newcomer Eric Surkamp that they've tried to implement just through him playing catch. Pitching coach Don Cooper said they'll go over the specifics with Surkamp after watching Thursday's live batting practice.

This 26-year-old southpaw can process the information from his new organization along with the information he gained during his five seasons in the Giants organization. Some of that information came from talks with Madison Bumgarner, whom Surkamp tried to talk with whenever the chance arose.

"Being such a young guy, he's pretty good and he knows a lot about pitching," said Surkamp of his talks with Bumgarner. "Whenever I had the opportunity to be around him and go up there, we would talk pitching and mechanics. I almost have similar type of mechanics."

Self-described as more of a finesse southpaw, Surkamp likes to mix up his fastball, slider, curve and changeup and throw all of them. Surkamp, who was a waiver claim from the Giants, thinks refining his repertoire could lead to the biggest improvements.

"It might be a little pitch here or there that you add in, a cutter or something like that," Surkamp said. "I know they have a lot of guys who throw those over here. We are all here for a reason. Just be consistent and do your job every day.

"This is my first time switching organizations. So, it's definitely a little different. Just getting to know all the guys and stuff like that. It takes a couple of days to get comfortable. But the game is still the same and baseball is baseball, so I've just got to go out and pitch."