Eaton not ready to take field for White Sox

Rehabbing from shoulder surgery, center fielder won't play in Cactus League opener

February 27th, 2016

GLENDALE, Ariz. -- Adam Eaton will not be in center field for the White Sox at the start of Cactus League play, as the team's leadoff man and catalyst continues working his way back from offseason arthroscopic surgery on his left shoulder.
There's no set date on when Eaton will return to the field, but there's a very low level of worry coming from the organization or Eaton. He's going through a throwing program and should be ready by Opening Day.
White Sox Spring Training information | Schedule
"That hasn't even entered my mind," said Eaton of possibly opening the 2016 season on the disabled list. "If anything, we'll see some [designated hitter] early, but besides that, we'll be ready."
Eaton has no issues swinging the bat, and he threw again Saturday morning before workouts at Camelback Ranch.
"It's coming along well," Eaton said. "It's kind of a slow process. But it is what it is. My arm is feeling really good. It shouldn't be an issue by any stretch.

"Teams at times can be very cautious when it comes to arms and what not. They haven't really told me. There's no reason to push in Spring Training. Make sure everything is on the up and up, be ready for Opening Day."
Live BP laughter
Courtney Hawkins took Mat Latos deep during one of the right-hander's two rounds of live batting practice on Saturday on the back fields at Camelback Ranch. Latos was working in with Chris Sale, who also threw two rounds.
After Hawkins connected, someone watching the action yelled, "Got Heem," channeling Kevin Millar on MLB Network's Intentional Talk. Another observer stated "Hawkins 1, Latos 0," and Latos just laughed and uttered a few statements in humorous disbelief.
"I still love you, though," said Hawkins with a laugh.
Casey Schroeder, a Minor League catcher who was brought in to hit off Sale and Latos, connected on one pitch from Sale and drove the ball into left-center.
"It was kind of neat," Schroeder said. "I told myself I was jumping on the fastball first pitch when he threw it, and I got it. Then he made me look kind of silly on the next slider, threw it in the dirt. It was fun. I enjoyed it today."
Abreu's Spring Training goal
Jose Abreu's specific individual daily routine doesn't really change, whether it's the days leading up to Cactus League action or the Spring Training games themselves. But Abreu has an important team-directed goal for the White Sox starting Thursday against the Dodgers.
"Once the game starts, I just want to create, I just want to be with all my teammates, create an atmosphere for winning," Abreu said through interpreter and Spanish language broadcaster Billy Russo. "We have to start winning from here and then translate the winning feeling through the season."
Early impressions
When asked to pick any standouts from the first eight days of camp, White Sox manager Robin Ventura went young.
"You start looking around at these younger guys we've had at camp before," Ventura said. "Tim Anderson, you're starting to see him move around and mature. You like to see that, the guys who have been around, their development and where they're at right now."
Catchers Appreciation Day
Ventura officially tabbed Saturday as "Catchers Appreciation Day." Each catcher had their own golf cart, with their jersey number on it, to make the day a little easier on them.
They said it
"A lot of core strength, a lot of stretching out. A lot of what I need is to be loose and limber and stretched out and staying tight in the middle." -- Sale, on the benefits of Pilates
"Melky Cabrera." -- Abreu, on who would play him if a story of his life was ever made into a movie
"He is a very funny guy. He's a very good person." -- Abreu, on why he picked his friend and teammate to play him