If Carlos Rodón can stay healthy, he might find himself in position to have high-quality starts such as his Cactus League effort Tuesday more often than not.

The veteran southpaw, who has worked less than 70 innings in three of the past four seasons because of injury, struck out four over three scoreless innings during a 4-3 White Sox victory over the Padres in Peoria, Ariz.

“Yeah, it was some good stuff,” Rodón said. “The four-seamer was there. Glad I could show that command with it and work on some changeups. The changeup, if I can get it back and in the zone, it can help, it can be a weapon.

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“It's only Spring Training right now. I'd like to see it happen in the regular season. But each start, even in Spring Training, it builds to that. They're steppingstones, so just see the next start and go from there. It's kind of the goal -- don't look too far ahead.”

Rodón has made adjustments in mechanics through his work with the core velocity belt and with pitching coach Ethan Katz. That has made it easier to gain command of the four seamer, with the spin getting better, a little more carry and a cleaner delivery, per Rodón.

There was a great rhythm to his pitching Tuesday, as he recorded strikeouts of Manny Machado and Wil Myers to further his pursuit of the fourth or fifth starter’s spot.

“I guess it happens start by start -- I build that confidence back,” Rodón said. “It's kind of like riding a bike, but it seems like I haven't ridden that bike for a while. Today was a step in the right direction. If I can be available and durable, I think the things will take care of themselves.”

Hamilton joins the White Sox
The White Sox agreed to a Minor League deal with veteran outfielder Billy Hamilton, with a non-roster invitation to Major League camp. Hamilton was with the team on Tuesday.

“I know [general manager] Rick [Hahn] described last year when they put [Jarrod] Dyson on the roster, the threat like that late in the game, where you can pinch-run him and he can make two or three bases that way,” White Sox manager Tony La Russa said. “His speed is a real weapon. I'm anxious to put him through the paces and see how he looks this year.”

Hamilton, 30, was released by Cleveland on March 13 after appearing in four Cactus League games. The switch-hitter, who homered for the Cubs in the last game of the 2020 regular season against the White Sox, has 305 career stolen bases in 840 games.

Adding Hamilton to the White Sox Opening Day roster would require creating a spot on the 40-man roster but also would give the South Siders another speed and defensive presence for late in the game.

“Sometimes, it's a luxury. You've got to have a roster,” La Russa said. “In Billy's case, he's been a player, not just a baserunner.

“He's an outfielder, had some good hitting years. There's no doubt there will be some games where if you can manufacture a run, it's the difference, and Billy's made a career of that.”

White Sox make 13 moves
The White Sox optioned eight players to Triple-A Charlotte: right-handed pitchers Zack Burdi, Tyler Johnson, Jimmy Lambert and Jonathan Stiever; left-handed pitcher Bernardo Flores Jr.; outfielder Blake Rutherford; infielder Gavin Sheets; and catcher Seby Zavala. They also optioned outfielder Micker Adolfo and infielder Jake Burger to Double-A Birmingham and reassigned right-handed pitchers Félix Paulino and Mike Wright and left-handed pitcher Kodi Medeiros to the organization’s minicamp.

With the 13 moves, the White Sox have 42 players in camp: 20 pitchers, four catchers, 11 infielders and seven outfielders.

Third to first
• Center fielder Luis Robert missed his second straight game because of a lower abdominal strain.

“The initial exams of Robert indicate everything’s normal,” La Russa said, citing head athletic trainer James Kruk. “We just want to make sure not to play him. He's got a little discomfort.

“Right now it doesn't seem like it's something that we should worry about. Just make sure we don't push him.”

• Reynaldo López allowed two runs on four hits during three innings of relief while striking out two Tuesday.

“I was able to make those adjustments from my last outing, and it was a good day. I’m on a good track,” López said through interpreter Billy Russo. “We’re working on my glove movement. Hitters were paying attention to what I was doing with my glove, and we corrected that.”

• Second baseman Nick Madrigal played in a Cactus League game for the first time since his debut on March 8. He was sidelined by right thumb soreness but feels good now, and his surgically repaired left shoulder is “feeling better than ever,” per Madrigal.

• After finishing 1-for-3 with a run scored in Monday against the Cubs, Yasmani Grandal was back at designated hitter Tuesday in a White Sox B game. Grandal has yet to catch in a Cactus League game because of a right knee issue. He twisted the knee during a Feb. 24 running drill. Yoelqui Cespedes also played in Tuesday’s B game.