GLENDALE, Ariz. – Ivan Nova has been known throughout his career as a strike-thrower, and that depiction has been proven true during his first Spring Training with the White Sox.

Nova worked 5 2/3 innings Thursday at Camelback Ranch, allowing one unearned run during a 12-1 victory over the Rangers. The right-hander struck out five, recorded eight outs via the ground ball and threw 52 of his 78 pitches for strikes.

There also were no walks issued by Nova, meaning he has 12 strikeouts and no walks over 16 innings pitched during Cactus League action.

“It’s no different,” Nova said. “You can probably see one, two, three [walks] one day because we are human. You are going to have those days where the command is not here, but I’m not worried about that. I know I can throw strikes.”

Although he’s scheduled to pitch the White Sox final exhibition game Tuesday afternoon at Chase Field, Nova joked about asking on Friday when he’s going to make his first 2019 regular-season start.

“I’m ready to go right now. I told you guys the other day I’m ready to go,” Nova said. “I feel really good. I felt really good last time. I repeated the same work and it paid off again. I feel strong. I was able to locate my ball the way I wanted to, both sides of the plate, righties and lefties. A good day overall.”

White Sox make four moves

Prior to Thursday’s victory over the Rangers, the White Sox optioned OF Ryan Cordell, LHP Josh Osich and RHP Thyago Vieira to Triple-A Charlotte and reassigned C Nate Nolan to Minor League camp.

With the moves, the White Sox have 37 players remaining in camp: 18 pitchers, three catchers, nine infielders and seven outfielders.

Renteria planning for regular season

White Sox manager Rick Renteria plans to have his regulars go deeper in games over the next three outings, and then pull them back the last couple of days to have them healthy and regular-season ready.

Renteria’s crew had lost six straight entering Thursday and now has an 8-16-2 mark in Arizona. But Renteria believes the team should be looked at for the work they put in and not the sub-par record.

“Other clubs have had similar numbers in terms of their record, so to speak,” Renteria said. “I don’t think people are too concerned about them. Once the light turns on, our hope is like most there is a different atmosphere when the regular season begins.

“We’ve been trying to make sure we talk about how important spring is, touching on things that are necessary for us to be competitive and relevant. We’re getting these guys to understand what we need to do, not only for this season but moving forward in this organization. A lot of good things are happening and we’re looking forward to it.”

Giolito's mixed Spring Training results

The 8.84 ERA posted by Lucas Giolito during Cactus League action does not match how good the right-hander feels overall.

“Yeah, a bit frustrating,” said Giolito, after allowing seven runs on eight hits over four innings of relief in Wednesday’s loss to the D-backs. “I feel great. This is the best I've felt throwing the ball since I was like 19, 20 years old. I don't know if I'm getting used to throwing the ball like that again. I don't really have excuses for the poor performances I've showed this spring.”

Giolito believes the biggest issue is not putting guys away when he’s getting ahead in the count, especially with runners on base. He plans to work on his 0-1 and 1-2 breaking balls, as well as fastball location, during a Friday bullpen.

“Just between sequencing, pitch sequencing and just execution late in the count,” Giolito said. “Because I feel good, really good actually. I'm executing early in the count, getting ahead of guys with some quality executed heaters, some breaking balls, good changeups.

“It seems to be that a lot of my 0-2, 1-2 pitches are either hanging or they're called a ball straight out of my hand into the dirt or up and away. Just got to lock that in and I'll be good. Pretty much the last thing.”

Third to first

Jon Jay (sore right hip) and Welington Castillo (lower back soreness) will get at-bats in a Minor League game Friday. Renteria hopes to have them both back in action this weekend.

Leury Garcia had four hits Thursday, including a home run, giving him a team-high 19.

They said it

“From what I see, and we get to play against each other last year, this year he’s way different than what I see last year. This year he’s healthy and throwing a lot of strikes. He deserves it.” -- Nova on Carlos Rodon, the White Sox Opening Day starter

Up next

Rodon gets the start for the White Sox last true road Cactus League game in Tempe on Friday against the Angels with a first pitch of 1:10 p.m. MT. This will be Rodon’s last trip to the mound before making his first career Opening Day start Thursday in Kansas City. Reliever Nate Jones also will be returning to the mound.