GLENDALE, Ariz. _ A small army of White Sox pitchers marched out to a back field at Camelback Ranch on Monday morning, trailed by a lonely man walking 10 feet behind the end of the line.
When everyone was done getting loose with a game of catch, they all marched off the field together _ except for one, lefty Carlos Rodon, who stayed behind to get in a few more throws with a little bite on them.
If it looks as if Rodon is marching to the beat of a different drummer, it's only because he is. And that drummer happens to be pitching coach Don Cooper, who has Rodon on a different schedule than his teammates.
Rodon is taking it slow and easy so far, not pitching off a mound one week into spring training. The decision to keep Rodon behind the rest of the team's pitchers led to speculation Rodon is being coddled because of a possible arm injury, which he quickly denied after practice on Monday.
"Makes me laugh," Rodon said. "It's fine. We're just taking it slow. I understand the process. We have a few extra weeks out here (because of the World Baseball Classic) and we're just taking advantage of that and just giving the arm time.
"I felt good today. It's hard to back off though. I can't throw (a side session) yet, and I backed off today (during catch) because I don't want to progress too fast. It was coming out good, and I said, 'OK, bring it in.'
"Hard to watch everyone else, but that's all right. Even in fielding (practice) I can't throw, but I'm still getting my work in doing it. I'll be ready for opening day. That's what this is all about."
Actually the Sox need Rodon ready by April 5, the second game of the season, when he's expected to start against the Tigers, barring a trade of Jose Quintana during spring training. When Quintana goes, as expected, Rodon will become the designated ace of the staff in only his third season, a heady responsibility for a 24-year-old who was rushed to the majors in 2015 on a team that was falsely deemed a contender.
Manager Rick Renteria said Monday it's possible Rodon won't pitch in any Cactus League games until the second week or so, following the blueprint the Sox used last year to get 226 2/3 innings out of Chris Sale. They'd be more than satisfied to get 200 innings out of Rodon, who threw 165 innings last year over 28 starts.
"That doesn't bother me," Rodon said. "I want to pitch in those real games. I'm not worried, so you guys shouldn't be worried."
No one's worried, I told him. Just curious.
This is a strange spring for Rodon, watching newly acquired prospects Lucas Giolito, Michael Kopech and Reynaldo Lopez get all the attention while he basically started camp in solitary confinement.
Only a couple of years ago, everyone was looking at Rodon at the start of spring, always the perfect time to scout potential phenoms. People are still watching him, but now they want to make sure he's healthy.
"You're under a little microscope, and it's a little scary sometimes," he said. "I'd go 'Oh, man, everyone's watching me.' You guys would be doing your jobs, and I'd be like 'Oh my God, they're right there.' It's different. I get it. It's tough, but I'll be used to it, probably by next week."
Quintana, who threw live batting practice Monday and looked ready for his opening day start, said he's glad the team is taking things easy with Rodon.
"No rush," Quintana said. "Try to go slow with him and be ready for the season. Spring training is just preparation."
If Quintana sticks around for a while, he and Rodon will lead a rotation that includes veterans Miguel Gonzalez, James Shields and Derek Holland. All have had varying degrees of success in the big leagues, and if all pitch to their capabilities the Sox could surprise some.
Rodon may be the biggest key to the team's future, so it makes sense to treat him like fine china. They convinced Sale and Quintana to sign team-friendly, long-term deals early in their careers, and figure to try to do likewise with Rodon, who is not yet arbitration-eligible.
"I don't look at that because we've got a game to play," he said. "That's all based on the performance and the product you put on the field.
"I let (agent Scott Boras) handle that. I'm just going to show them what I'm worth on the field. You can't predict the future, but history has a tendency to repeat. When that time comes, I'm sure I'll be ready for it, and I have the guy in my corner I want.
"It's not me vs. the team. We're trying to build something good, and I'm a part of it, and all these guys in here are part of it. We're trying to make something happen."
