GLENDALE, Ariz. — Travis Jankowski opted out of Cubs camp when he was left off the travel roster for Japan and hooked up with the Sox right away, having played under Will Venable when the Sox manager was on Bruce Bochy’s staff in Texas.
He was appreciative of general manager Chris Getz’ openness about the Sox outfield picture that already included major league contracts attached to five of them.
With Opening Day drawing near, Jankowski waits, like so many others in Sox camp and camps everywhere to know where he’ll be on March 27 when the Sox host the Angels at Rate Field. There is uncertainty about the outfield with Andrew Benintendi (hand) and Austin Slater (oblique) coming back from injuries. Luis Robert Jr., Mike Tauchman and Michael A. Taylor also have major league contracts.
“I’m just trying to prove I deserve a roster spot,” Jankowski said. “Control the things I can, play great defense put together good professional at-bats and stuff will work out. I haven’t been told anything.”
Jankowsi led off and went 2-for-2 with a pair of singles, a walk, his third stolen base and a run scored in the Sox’ loss to the Mariners Saturday. A .236/.319/.305 hitter over 10 seasons, he’s 3-for-12 with four walks this spring.
With the Rangers in 2023, Jankowski found out the night before Opening Day that he was on the roster because Leody Tavares needed another week or so to get over an oblique strain.
Jankowski, 33, waits again. He signed a minor league deal with an invite to spring training and has an opt out, so if he doesn’t make the Sox roster he could land with another team.
“If there’s no spot then it’s OK, what is the next best spot where I know I’ll be up and get some time,” he said.
When the Cubs front office called him in to say he wouldn’t be on the travel team to Japan, Jankowski knew he wanted out.
“I said, where I’m at in my career, ‘I don’t need to wither away Triple-A and watch you guys go win,’ ’’ he said. “I need to be part of something in the big leagues. They said they wouldn’t hold me hostage if there was a better opportunity. I was on the phone with Will pretty quick after that.
“It’s not ideal, but it’s the game, man. And it’s not always the guys who are the most deserving or have played the best, it’s roster construction.”
Notes
Slater and Benintendi were both off Saturday but could play the next two days.
“We’ll try to get them as many innings as we can safely,” Venable said.
*Right-hander Penn Murfee (0.00 spring ERA) hasn’t pitched in a game since Wednesday due to ankle soreness.
“Nothing crazy at all. I wouldn’t even say precautionary, just wanted to give him a couple days to get right and he’s in a good spot,” Venable said. “We’ll see him here in a couple of outings or at least one outing before we get out of here.”
*Josh Rojas, who has a hairline fracture in his right big toe, participated in baseball activities Friday but is still sore.
“Still just taking it day by day,” Venable said. “Just going to give him the time he needs.”
*Venable again declined to say how the rest of the starting rotation lines up after Opening Day starter Sean Burke.
Mariners 14, Sox 1
Rockies 10, Sox 4
A showcase of the White Sox’ prized left-handed pitching prospects starting split-squad games fell flat, with Noah Schultz and Hagen Smith both walking five batters to start Sox (10-18-1) defeats. Schultz recorded five outs, allowed three runs (two earned) and one hit against the Rockies in Scottsdale. Smith recorded seven outs and gave up six runs (five earned) and three hits. Smith struck out one batter, Schultz three.
*Smith, who threw only 28 strikes in 56 pitches, said his mechanics in his lower half were off. “Something was kind of off,” he said. “Missing with my fastball.”
*Gus Varland gave up homers to Julio Rodriguez and Randy Arozarena in a four-run inning and Steven Wilson saw his streak of 15 scoreless innings over the last two springs end in a two-run, four-hit inning.
On deck: Diamondbacks at Sox, Sunday, 3:05 p.m., Glendale, Brandon Eisert. CHSN, 1000-AM. Jonathan Cannon will pitch in minor league game.
-Daryl Van Schouwen