MESA, Ariz. -- Shane Smith has a blueprint for success and for preparing himself for the 2026 season.
Tuesday’s start against the Athletics during an 11-7 loss at Hohokam Stadium wasn’t exactly part of said blueprint for the White Sox Opening Day starter.
“Getting shelled isn’t ever really part of the blueprint,” Smith said. “But I think in terms of learning about what I do physically and mentally out there, you go through an offseason and you kind of forget, at least I did, what this game can do so quickly.
“Three pitches later, you are down 4-0. For me, it’s getting back in that learning curve of what it takes for me to be ready and be competitive.”
Smith was staked to a 3-0 lead in the first by the White Sox offense, only to give up three during a bottom half where he didn’t finish. The right-hander lamented getting ahead 1-2 on Nick Kurtz and 0-2 on Tyler Soderstrom, only to walk them both.
Over his 2 2/3 innings, Smith walked four, struck out two and yielded five runs.
“Walking guys is more frustrating for me than giving up solo shots. Home runs tell you you’re in the zone,” said Smith, who gave up homers to Kurtz and Brent Rooker. “That’s really hard to be successful in the big leagues with [four] walks. But in those next couple of innings, just stayed in the zone with two strikes.”
Smith feels healthy, which is most important, with two more starts to get ready for Milwaukee.
“I was hoping this was a step in the right direction. I think it was a step. Just don’t know where yet,” Smith said. “I try to take everything with a silver lining. I have two more here and I’m looking forward to it.”
MURAKAMI’S GRAND SWING
Will Venable paused his early-morning workout to watch Munetaka Murakami’s eighth-inning plate appearance for Team Japan during World Baseball Classic action.
Murakami’s results were worth the workout break for the White Sox manager. The first baseman launched a grand slam off a 2-1 pitch from southpaw Ryan Johnson to finish off a nine-run eighth and Czechia during a 9-0 Japan victory.
“That was a good one. It was really good,” said Venable prior to Tuesday’s contest with the Athletics. “He’s been putting good at-bats together even when he was here. Good at-bats, a lot of singles, to see him drive the ball like that is impressive.
“He knows he’s got that club in the bag. He’s done a lot over his career. So I’m sure there’s never any worry that it’s in there. But at the same time, as you’re putting in the work every day, to be able to start getting results and seeing some of it pay off is meaningful.”
Being part of Team Japan’s title defense meant everything to Murakami, who will be back in Arizona before the team breaks for Milwaukee and the start of Murakami’s big league career. He joined the White Sox via a two-year, $34 million free-agent deal, a transaction really coming together during the last week of his posting period.
An instant impact was made via Murakami’s time in big league camp, bringing the White Sox international notoriety while getting to know his teammates.
“It’s good. He’s hilarious,” veteran outfielder Andrew Benintendi told MLB.com. “Obviously the longer we are with each other, the more we will kind of get comfortable with each other, not that we are uncomfortable interacting with him. But it’s been great. Obviously he’s got a lot of pop, and adds a lot to this lineup. So I’m excited for him to get back here.”
Added shortstop Colson Montgomery: “We are always rooting for him to do good every single day. We want him to do his thing over there and have success, but we also want him to be back here with us and keep building relationships and that chemistry. I text him here and there, just to let him know we are all supporting him.”
THIRD TO FIRST
Jaden Fauske -- the No. 7 White Sox prospect, per MLB Pipeline -- was hit in the helmet by a pitch during a Minor League game Tuesday at Camelback Ranch.
“Looks like he's OK,” said White Sox director of player development Paul Janish via text on Tuesday. “We will see how he feels later today and tomorrow, but initial evaluation is a scary situation but looks like he's OK."
Derek Hill singled home a run and took away a three-run homer from Jeff McNeil by snagging the drive over the right-field fence to end the fourth Tuesday.
Korey Lee’s three-run homer off Jeffrey Springs traveled a projected 443 feet, per Statcast.