MESA, Ariz. -- Daniel Palka left the game Feb. 24 in Peoria with what he thought were cramps in his left hamstring due to dehydration. But even after participating offensively in an intrasquad game on Saturday, the left-handed slugger remains a few days from returning.

“He’s not feeling any discomfort,” White Sox manager Rick Renteria said of Palka, who took part in live batting practice Sunday. “He did some controlled speed work on a treadmill. Today, we allowed him to jog.

“If I understood it right listening to the reports today, they were going to get him out there increasing the intensity, but we don’t want to go to explosive mode until we’re really sure he’s good. So, we’re going to take it slow, gradually build him up.”

Renteria targeted a window of Thursday-Saturday for having Palka available and ready to go.

Cease to debut on Tuesday

With the White Sox playing split-squad Cactus League contests against the Padres and Indians on Tuesday, Dylan Cease gets the starting call in Goodyear against Cleveland. The No. 21 prospect overall, per MLB Pipeline, makes his Cactus League debut, with the White Sox bringing him along slowly during Spring Training in an attempt to maximize his season-wide innings.

“We are trying to put him in a position where we get him going a little bit later, but get him still ready for the season,” Renteria said. “We are going to expand his innings usage this year.

“Hopefully, we are doing it the right way, so we get as much mound time for him this coming season. He looks good, and we are kind of looking forward to seeing him out there on the hill.”

Cease will get another chance five days after Tuesday, and Renteria added the 23-year-old right-hander will be used only as a starter.

Santana progressing

Ervin Santana threw a live BP on Sunday and has another scheduled for Wednesday’s off-day, per Renteria. The veteran right-hander, limited to five starts with the Twins in 2018 after undergoing surgery on the middle finger of his throwing hand, could realistically be ready by the end of camp.

“Yeah, absolutely,” Renteria said. “But we want to make sure his finger is good and want to make sure he’s getting the work he needs to get in.

“This kid is very good. He’s a professional. He really understands what he is doing, but we want to make sure everything is solid.”

Banuelos walks on the wild side

The good news for Manny Bañuelos during his start Sunday at Sloan Park was the left-hander didn’t give up a hit over 1 1/3 innings. He also didn’t record a strikeout, walked four and hit one in the Cubs’ 13-4 victory. The left-hander is competing for the fifth starter’s spot or at least a relief role but was unable to follow up his four-strikeout effort over two innings against the Giants on Feb. 25.

“It is a little bit frustrating having an outing like today,” Banuelos said, through interpreter Billy Russo. “I know that I have to find new ways to regain that performance that I know I’m able to do at this level. I have to put this one in the back of my head and just keep moving forward for my next outing.

“Physically, I feel good. My body feels good. My arm feels good. Mentally, I’m feeling good, too. This outing is not going to affect my Spring Training. I’m confident, and I just know that I have to work harder during my bullpen session to try to come up with better results next time.”

They said it

“Anybody that’s in camp, not making it would be a disappointment. The goal is to make it and just do everything I can to put myself in a position to help the team.” -- outfielder Nicky Delmonico on a feeling of disappointment if he doesn’t break camp with the team.

Up next

Reynaldo López will make his second Cactus League start as the White Sox return home to Camelback Ranch to face the Angels on Monday. Trevor Cahill will be on the mound for Los Angeles, with a first-pitch time of 2:05 p.m. CT. The game will be televised via a whitesox.com webcast.