TEMPE, Ariz. — Angels manager Joe Maddon didn’t see the White Sox’ first team Sunday, but he has seen enough of them in recent springs and crosstown regular season games as a Cubs manager, and he has paid attention to what they did in the offseason.
“I like what they look like,” Maddon said. “It’s a tough lineup, especially in that ballpark. As they pitch they’re going to really ascend. Because they’re going to hit. All around the diamond they’re kind of jacked up.”
The Sox have been in rebuilding mode for three years, and after adding veterans Yasmani Grandal, Edwin Encarnacion, Dallas Keuchel, Gio Gonzalez and Steve Cishek in free agency, appear to have a roster capable of putting them over the .500 mark for the first time since 2012.
“Getting Grandal was a big play,” Maddon said. “[Yoan] Moncada developing like he has. … he needed time. [Former Cubs prospect] Eloy [Jimenez], I’m a big fan. All around the diamond, Anderson at shortstop. They’re pretty tough, they’ve done a nice job of putting it together with acquisitions in free agency but they’ve done some nice home grown stuff, too.”
Robert taking charge
Luis Robert is the youngest and least experienced one in the Sox lineup (he’s 22, Eloy Jimenez is 23 and Nomar Mazara is 24) but he has looked comfortable taking charge as he should as the center fielder.
Against the Rangers Saturday, Robert ran a long way from right center, called off Jimenez and caught Joey Gallo’s fly ball near the warning track in left center.
“The coaches have encouraged me to take any ball that I can,” Robert said through translator Billy Russo. “It’s not that I want to do Eloy’s job. I know I have great range and can get to a lot of baseballs. And if I’m able to do it and as the center fielder I know I have the priority, then I will do it.”
Grandal getting close
Grandal, who hasn’t played a game because of the mild calf strain he sustained before camp opened, is slated to catch in a B game Wednesday morning against the Brewers in Glendale.
The plan calls for Grandal to catch three innings and lead off every inning to get him more at-bats.
“See if we can get some breaks out of the [batter’s box],” manager Rick Renteria said.
This and that
Edwin Encarnacion (stiff back) is improving and is expected to be in the lineup Tuesday as the designated hitter. “He doesn’t feel like he’s having any problems, “ Renteria said.
*Left-hander Jace Fry (back) threw a bullpen Sunday.
*Fifth starter Gio Gonzalez threw his second bullpen and “looked good,” Renteria said. Without needing a fifth starter in the first week and probably asking for five innings maximum in the early going, the Sox are still expecting the 34-year-old lefty to be ready for the regular season.
