Dylan Cease pitched three scoreless innings in his 2021 Cactus League debut.
Eloy Jimenez singled in his first two at-bats, driving in three runs.
Seems like a good time to reference that trade.
And why not? The White Sox acquired Cease and Jimenez as top prospects from the Cubs in 2016, dealing left-hander Jose Quintana in one of the three big deals that started their rebuild. In a Cactus League game Monday at Camelback Ranch in Glendale, Ariz., Cease and Jimenez both stood out against the Cubs.
While Jimenez’ bat has been warming up in recent days, this was an encouraging first start for the right-hander trying to nail down the No. 4 starter spot in the Sox’ starting rotation. Cease struggled with command last season but has enjoyed good results in bullpen and live batting practice sessions leading to Monday.
Against the Cubs, Cease allowed one hit, a bloop single by Eric Sogard, and did not allow a walk while striking out Wilson Contreras and Matt Duffy. His fastball sat around 97-98 mph, and he threw his sharp-breaking curveball for strikes.
“I think we’re right where we need to be,” Cease said. “It’s always encouraging to see results.”
Manager Tony La Russa isn’t handing a spot to Cease, who is taking nothing for granted.
“I want to be a valuable member of the team, and I know that starts with me throwing strikes and getting ahead of guys,” he said.
“I definitely want to earn that spot, and that’s my intention.”
If Cease (5.00 career ERA) can hold that spot by performing to the high ceiling he’s known for, and if Jimenez builds on the Silver Slugger Award he earned in 2020, the Sox will have no trouble claiming a convincing victory in that trade, although Jimenez remains a work in progress defensively. He overthrew the cutoff man on a throw home, allowing Alfonso Rivas to move into scoring position.
Jimenez struck out and flied to the warning track in right in his other two at-bats.
For his part, Cease won’t fail for lack of effort.
“He’s really determined to pitch to his potential and he’s trying to hurry that process by relying on good coaching,” La Russa said.
Robert scratched with abdominal strain
Center fielder Luis Robert was scratched from the lineup with a lower abdominal strain. The Sox said Robert was held out for precautionary measures.
Robert, who won the AL Gold Glove for center fielders and finished second in the Rookie of the Year voting, has had a good spring going 8-for-24 with a home run, three doubles, two RBI, four runs scored and three stolen bases in eight games.
It’s not known how long Robert will be held out of action. Opening Day is 17 days away.
Sox 4, Cubs 4
Hendriks blows a save
Liam Hendriks, the Sox’ new $54 million closer, was given his first save situation in a Sox uniform and blew it, hanging a curveball to Patrick Wisdom and allowing a tying solo homer with one out in the ninth. Hendriks also struck out two.
The Sox (3-8-4) put runners on the corners with one out in the bottom of the ninth, but Blake Rutherford grounded into a double play, hanging a fourth tie on their spring record. Dylan Cease pitched three innings of near-perfect ball and Eloy Jimenez drove in three runs with two singles. Jose Abreu (2-for-2) doubled, walked twice and drove in the other Sox run.
Kopech’s second outing
Following a perfect inning in his first outing, Michael Kopech felt no effects from a tweaked calf muscle sustained last week, touched 100 mph, commanded his slider and recorded two strikeouts working a scoreless eighth inning. He also allowed a single and hit Nick Martini on the leg with a fastball.
Kopech, transitioning to pitching out of the bullpen, is “getting used to a routine of getting going quick so I’m hot when I step on that mound for the first time.”
A first for Crochet
Left-hander Garrett Crochet hadn’t allowed a run in a major league uniform (over five major league appearances in 2020 and three Cactus League outings this spring) until the Cubs nicked him for one on a double by David Bote and a tying RBI single by Alfonso Rivas in the seventh. Crochet, who touched 100 mph 45 times last season, was sitting around 96 mph.
On deck
Sox at Padres, 3:10 p.m., Peoria, Ariz., Carlos Rodón vs. Joe Musgrove. This will be the second spring appearance and first start for Rodon, who is competing for a spot in the starting rotation.
