April 01--GLENDALE, Ariz. -- White Sox left-hander Chris Sale said his injured right foot and ankle felt "fine" as he pitched in his first competitive game of the spring, a minor-league contest against the Reds on a back field at Camelback Ranch.
Sale pitched six innings, plus a couple of batters beyond the end of the sixth to reach his 90-pitch count. He gave up two hits, one a solo home run to Taylor Sparks that accounted for his only run allowed. He walked none, hit one batter and struck out 13, leaving some of the young players shaking their heads as they walked away.
"Stinks being on rehab the whole time so it was nice to be a pitcher again and be in a game situation," Sale said. "My breaking ball was kind of crappy today. I left it up a lot arm-side, probably because I was rushing a little bit. But other than that everything felt fine."
Because of all of the strikeouts, Sale didn't do much work fielding, but he did cover first on one play and felt comfortable doing it.
"It's reactions, so not putting too much emphasis on it being hurt," Sale said. "You go out there, and you're not thinking about anything but getting outs. It was nice to be able to do that and prove to myself that I'm ready to go right now."
Sale will remain in Arizona while the team goes to Charlotte for an exhibition game Friday and then on to Kansas City for opening day Monday. He expects to pitch again in five days before rejoining the team.
He will miss not being with the team on opening day, but not necessarily the hoopla that surrounds the event. For now, April 11 or 12 still remains a target for his return.
"You know me, I love all the flashing lights and all the attention," Sale joked. "No, it's a fun day. Obviously I wish I could be there, but things pop up and I'll take the ball when they give it to me."
