Flowers exits game early with leg cramps

GLENDALE, Ariz. -- Tyler Flowers left Friday's 7-0 loss to the Cubs in the middle of his sixth inning at-bat, exiting after swinging through a 1-1 pitch from reliever Alberto Cabrera.

The White Sox starting catcher has been diagnosed with leg cramps, according to the team.

"It didn't seem like he pulled anything. You just don't want to take chances so we took him out," said White Sox manager Robin Ventura of Flowers. "You could tell he did something on the earlier swing and he thought he could go through it. Right now I think it's a cramp."

Minor Leaguer Jaime Pedroza pinch-hit for Flowers, who was named the White Sox starting catcher last weekend. A lingering injury to Flowers could be a significant one, with the White Sox currently only having Rule 5 selection Adrian Nieto and non-roster invite Hector Gimenez in camp. Josh Phegley was optioned to Triple-A Charlotte on Wednesday.

First baseman Jose Abreu also left after two at-bats to ice a left ankle that he has played through but has bothered him for two weeks.