TEMPE, Ariz. -- Nicky Delmonico has been diagnosed with a minor concussion and remains in MLB’s concussion protocol as announced by the White Sox on Friday. Delmonico was not at the team’s Camelback Ranch complex.

Delmonico entered Thursday’s Cactus League game in the seventh and exited two batters later when he collided with the left-field fence while chasing Manny Pina’s fly ball, which turned into an inside-the-park home run. A dazed Delmonico was helped to a cart and taken off the field.

“He definitely felt the blow. You could see he was very dizzy. He was feeling nauseous,” White Sox manager Rick Renteria said. “The normal effects of a possible concussion. We didn’t know until they validated, brought him in. Doing the normal protocol, keeping him away from lights."

“Let the brain just rest, hopefully be well on the way to recovery. It’s going to be a little while before he’s on the field. Fortunately, there’s nothing else that was affected by that jolt to the fence. We’ll see him back in I don’t know five to seven days, see where he’s at.”

White Sox make cuts

Prior to Friday’s 15-8 Cactus League victory over the Angels in Tempe, the White Sox optioned outfielder Luis Alexander Basabe and left-handed pitcher Kodi Medeiros to Double-A Birmingham and reassigned infielder D.J. Peterson to Minor League camp. With the moves, the White Sox have 55 players remaining in camp: 28 pitchers, six catchers, 10 infielders and 11 outfielders.

Basabe, 22, ranks as the No. 7 White Sox prospect per MLB Pipeline. The switch-hitter was sidelined after surgery to remove a broken left hamate bone.

Banuelos bounces back

Manny Banuelos walked four and hit one batter over 1 1/3 innings in his last Cactus League start against the Cubs on Sunday. But the southpaw was far more effective Friday against the Angels. Banuelos fanned five, including Jonathan Lucroy and Albert Pujols in the third, allowing one run over three innings.

“I made considerable progress today, compared with my last outing,” said Banuelos through interpreter Billy Russo. “Even though I started the game a little off with my command, I was able to execute my pitches after that first bump.

“That shows I was able to adjust. I was able to survive or surpass those moments. I like that. I feel very good. Comparing this outing to the last one, it was a huge progress.”

Working on a routine of pitching every five days, Banuelos believes he’s being viewed as a starter by the White Sox. Ervin Santana, another fifth starter candidate, has yet to throw in a Cactus League contest as he works his way back pain-free from surgery on his right middle finger last season. Per Renteria, Santana’s next two outings are not scheduled to be in big league games.

Robert still on hold

Outfielder Luis Robert remained out of action due to a jammed thumb, although he did take batting practice Friday. Renteria would not commit to a return date for the No. 40 prospect overall per MLB Pipeline until he checked on how Robert felt following Friday’s work.

Positive thoughts for Seaver

Bryan Little, who played alongside Tom Seaver during the pitcher’s parts of three seasons with the White Sox, had nothing but good wishes and good memories of the Hall of Famer on Friday. Seaver’s family announced Thursday he had been diagnosed with dementia and was retiring from public life.

“It’s always tough when you hear things like that,” said Little, who is a Major League advance scout and special instructor for the White Sox. “We are blessed in a lot of ways to play this game. Anytime anyone is going through stuff like his family is going through right now with his illness, it’s tough.”

Little finished 1-for-2 with two walks and two RBIs in a 4-1 victory at Yankee Stadium on Aug. 4, 1985, when Seaver hurled a complete game for his 300th career victory. According to Little, Seaver had that special aura most superstars possess.

“It’s like you want to make every single play,” Little said. “If a play didn’t get made or a double play didn’t get turned or you didn’t get a guy home from third, it’s like there’s a little more to it.”

They Said It

“Oh my god. Absolutely. It’s been an awesome opportunity. I’m excited to be here, that’s for sure." -- Danny Mendick, a non-roster invite to White Sox Spring Training, whose two hits Friday raised his spring average to .412 before he exited in the sixth after being hit by a pitch in the right wrist. Mendick did not require X-rays and is day to day with a bruise.

Up next

Reynaldo Lopez takes the mound as the White Sox complete their two-game road trip with a Saturday afternoon contest against the Rangers at Surprise Stadium. The contest with a first pitch of 2:05 p.m. CT also is scheduled to feature Kelvin Herrera, Carson Fulmer, Zach Thompson and Caleb Frare pitching.