MESA, Ariz. -- Ryan Cordell continues to impress for the White Sox and is very much in the mix for one of the outfield jobs. He's also taking ground balls at third base.
Manager Rick Renteria had Cordell batting leadoff and in center field during a 6-5 Cactus League loss to the Cubs on Tuesday. Cordell walked twice in three plate appearances and is hitting .333 for the spring.
That he's playing well is one thing. That he's playing at all is just about as important. The White Sox acquired him last July in the trade that sent reliever Anthony Swarzak to the Brewers.
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Cordell was on the disabled list with a back/neck injury at the time and did not play another game in 2017. He did not even pick up a bat until December.
At 25, he's attempting to make up for lost time, and the White Sox are excited to have him. MLB Pipeline ranks him No. 16 among White Sox prospects. Scouts believe he has the bat speed to hit for power, and at 6-foot-4, 205 pounds, the athleticism to play all over the outfield.
"We've seen a lot of his video, but it's not the same as watching him in person," Renteria said. "So we're looking forward to what he can bring to the table. I think the whole organization is excited about it."
For Cordell, just playing and competing has been a huge first step toward his larger goals.
"It's great, awesome," he said. "My body feels really good. Anytime you're dealing with your spine or your neck, you have to be really cautious. But at this point, it's feeling good enough to give it a go. Hopefully it holds up."
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Fulmer breaks into spring
As first starts go, right-hander Carson Fulmer will take it. Two weeks from now, the pitching line will be long forgotten.
"You can face as many live hitters back home as you want, but once you're put into a game the adrenaline is going a little bit," he said. "I was able to slow the game down a little bit. Like I said, I was flying open a little bit and the ball caught the plate a little more than I wanted to."
He allowed five hits and a walk in one-plus innings but was charged with just one earned run. The Cubs scored four in the bottom of the first inning, three unearned.
"It's Spring Training for a reason," Fulmer said. "We try to get as many reps as we can before the season starts. If you go out there and just pound the zone like I did today, I feel you can build off those outings. I'll go back out there in five days."
Injury updates
Top prospect Eloy Jimenez did some work on the field, but he remains sidelined from game competition because of a sore left knee.
"He's actually doing fine," Renteria said. "His knee is sore a little bit. We're going to take a step back and be careful with him. But I'm sure he'll be back in here as soon as he can. I spoke to [instructor] Aaron [Rowand]. Aaron said he looked fine. We'll just keep monitoring that, try to get him back on the field and ready to go."
Camp battles
Matt Davidson served as designated hitter and hit his second home run of the spring and raised his batting average to .500. One of Renteria's spring decisions is whether Davidson opens the season at third base or DH.
Worth noting
• White Sox Charities (WhiteSox.com/auction) is auctioning off the autographed Marjory Stoneman Douglas High School baseball caps worn last Friday. Proceeds will benefit the Broward Education Foundation that will assist victims and families of the shooting.
• Nicky Delmonico had three hits and is batting .455 this spring.
What's next
Lucas Giolito makes his spring debut Wednesday afternoon against the Rangers at Camelback Ranch. Watch live on an exclusive whitesox.com webcast at 2:05 p.m. CT.