April 02--SCOTTSDALE, Ariz. -- The Chicago White Sox reassigned right-handers Brad Penny and Scott Carroll to minor-league camp Thursday, the final day of spring training.
Penny, who has pitched on and off in the majors since 2000, had joined the Sox on a minor-league contract this spring with the hopes of latching on as a fifth starter or potentially helping out in the bullpen.
He posted a 6.89 ERA, walking four and striking out nine over 15 2/3 innings pitched this spring. He will head to Triple-A Charlotte.
"I think it's better for me to stay starting right now (at Charlotte) just so I can get the innings and get everything going," Penny said. "But just take it one start at a time, starting with today."
Penny had value off the field this spring, as he helped out some of the younger pitchers, such as Carroll and left-hander Carlos Rodon.
"It's experience. I did the same thing (when I was younger)," Penny said. "Randy Johnson would talk to me a lot about certain situations, why throw this in this count and all that. ... What I told Rodon, 'I'm not competing against you. If you pitch well and I pitch well, it's all going to take care of itself.' These are teammates. I want every one of them to throw a shutout every time out."
Carroll saw some success late last year as a long reliever and spot starter and was hoping there was a similar spot in this year's bullpen. But he was squeezed out with several new Sox additions despite a 1.59 spring ERA over 11 1/3 innings.
The Sox still have 18 pitchers in camp but won't set the 25-man roster until Friday when the team plays an exhibition game in Triple-A Charlotte. The final bullpen has not been announced.
Closer David Robertson, lefties Zach Duke and Dan Jennings and right-handers Zach Putnam, Javy Guerra, Kyle Drabek and Maikel Cleto have been in the mix for the final seven spots.
