March 06--GLENDALE, Ariz. -- White Sox left-hander John Danks cracked a smile Thursday afternoon when considering what is different in spring training as a more veteran pitcher.
"About 6 miles an hour," Danks joked.
But Danks, who is entering his ninth season with the Sox, also knows he has learned more than a few things as he grows into a different pitcher while moving beyond his 2012 shoulder surgery.
"I feel like I know more about what I need to do than I did back then," Danks said. "I know I was just relying on pure talent and god-given ability. I'm having to be a little smarter and trying to keep the ball in the ballpark.
"There are situations in the past where I would have gripped a four-seam fastball, reared back and thrown it down the middle and seen what happened. I can't do that anymore. I have to be a little smarter and locate a lot better. A lot of it is just comfort too, having been there."
Danks completed his first two innings of the spring Thursday against the Dodgers, giving up one run on two hits. He threw 32 pitches, 21 for strikes.
"I think location-wise and things like that, he looked free and easy," Sox manager Robin Ventura said. "It's a work in progress I think when these guys get here for the first time and get out there. ... The lower he is in the zone, the more effective he's going to be. He's going to get guys chasing, and it's a big thing for him this year."
Danks said there is plenty of work to do this spring with pitching coach Don Cooper as he continues to work on mechanical changes that include lowering his arm angle, but he felt comfortable with them Thursday.
"It felt good," Danks said. "It felt like that's where I need to be. I'm still real excited about the season and expecting a big season."
Danks was pitted against Dodgers ace Clayton Kershaw, who threw two perfect innings with three strikeouts.
"I wish I could throw that curve ball," Danks said.
