This story was excerpted from Scott Merkin’s White Sox Beat newsletter. To read the full newsletter, click here. And subscribe to get it regularly in your inbox.

GLENDALE, Ariz. -- Garrett Crochet isn’t yet thinking about May, when the left-handed reliever is targeted for a return to the Majors.

Well, maybe there’s a slight hint of the future in the back of his mind.

“Definitely in the back of my mind,” Crochet said. “I’m excited to get into some extended Spring Training [games] out here. Obviously just because that’s a lot closer in time. Yeah, definitely, [I'm] always in the back of my mind thinking about that.”

Crochet had Tommy John surgery before the 2022 season started and has been working his way back toward that Major League goal. He threw a live bullpen session Friday, which drew positive reviews from those who faced him and White Sox manager Pedro Grifol, and he’ll throw another Monday as the team wraps up Cactus League action.

There’s a palpable excitement for the return of a reliever who finished second in all of baseball with pitches thrown at 100 mph or above over just six innings in 2020 and posted a 2.82 ERA over 54 games in '21. Crochet also trusts the recovery process set out since he suffered the injury while pitching last Spring Training and won’t deviate from the path.

“Yeah, yeah, just kind of following that every step of the way,” Crochet said. “Just something to look forward to every day. Why not stick to it?

“Trying to ease into it. Really want to be at full strength when I get back with the team in May. I’m not really worried about being at full strength right now.”

Although he admitted to being antsy and overly amped up during his first live BP in over a year, he was very happy with the results.

“To feel healthy at this point and have everything go smoothly for 19 pitches or however many I threw, it’s a big confidence boost,” Crochet said. “It lets me know I’ve been on the right track.

“Another box to check off. We are trying not to look too much into it. Just focusing on the program and getting back in May.”