April 02--GLENDALE, Ariz. -- Micah Johnson and Carlos Sanchez will both make the White Sox opening-day roster, but manager Robin Ventura will wait to announce his starter at second base until the club arrives in Kansas City, he said Wednesday.
The duo has been competing for the opening, but the Sox are able to carry both players on the 25-man roster to start the season because left-hander Chris Sale will be on the disabled list until April 11 or 12 while recovering from his fractured right foot.
Ventura had said recently Johnson was the leader to win the job, but he wouldn't confirm Johnson would make his major-league debut as the starter April 6 against the Royals. Both players have had solid spring showings, and each started at second in Sox split-squad games Wednesday.
"I think any time a guy starts opening day it's exciting," Ventura said. "If it's his first one, it's exciting, even for older guys. ... You get through a long spring training and start a season optimistic and feeling good."
Ventura still has to announce his bullpen, though the Sox confirmed Tuesday that right-hander Matt Albers will join a group that also includes the offseason acquisitions of closer David Robertson and left-handers Zach Duke and Dan Jennings.
Albers returned from 2014 shoulder tendinitis to earn the spot and said he thinks he will be used in middle relief.
"I think I just proved that I was healthy, just the way the ball is coming out from beginning to end of camp," Albers said. "I feel like my stuff has been there the whole time and I pitched pretty well."
