March 23--GLENDALE, Ariz. -- White Sox manager Robin Ventura said Monday he intends to let the battle for second base play out through the remainder of spring training, but he likes the fire he has seen from prospects Micah Johnson and Carlos Sanchez as they try to win the job.
"Both of those guys come to play," Ventura said. "When you're young and in a competitive position battle like this, it's good not only for them, but for everybody else to see it."
Johnson has caught attention at the plate this spring, going 15-for-33 with a double, a triple, a home run, six RBIs and two stolen bases over 13 games. Sanchez, who started at second against the Padres on Monday, has also performed well offensively in more limited time, going 8-for-23 with four RBIs through Sunday.
The concern surrounding Johnson coming in was whether his defense was up to speed, and he had a rough game Sunday against the Brewers. He committed his first fielding error of the year and also misplayed another ball for a Brewers single. Ventura said "those days are going to happen" to a young player like Johnson.
"Even some of the best defensive players have those days, and you have to put it behind you, work on your stuff when you come out here in the morning and maybe figure out what happened," Ventura said. "The game's a little bit faster up here, and I think he's getting a taste of that on occasion. There are a couple of balls that are a little quicker and there is a technique that can help you do that. He's getting better with that."
Sale's up: Sox left-hander Chris Sale is expected to pitch in a simulated game Friday as he continues his comeback from a fractured right foot and sprained ankle, Ventura said. Sale was back in a Sox uniform Monday morning testing out his injured foot with running.
"Just to get him back out is good for his psyche, to get back out here in uniform with everybody," Ventura said. "To get him off the mound, would be good too, so we'll see how it goes tomorrow."
Ventura said the Sox will remain cautious so that Sale doesn't overexert himself during his comeback. Sale said Saturday he wanted to pitch in a Cactus League game before the Sox left spring training, but Ventura wouldn't commit to that yet.
"(You need to) make sure he's strong enough to go out there and compete," Ventura said. "Once the adrenaline starts going, he's going to forget about that, and you want to protect him a bit."
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