MESA, Ariz. — It’s been like peeling a grape this week to discover the long journey Shane Smith has been on from high school in Massachusetts to Wake Forest to Milwaukee to the White Sox and his pending Opening Day start on March 26 vs. the Brewers.
He had right shoulder surgery his freshman year in college and Tommy John ligament replacement surgery his junior year, he explained Tuesday after a shaky start vs. the Athletics at Hohokam Stadium. That explains why the Brewers signed him as an undrafted free agent after his double surgery, and why the Sox picked him up via the Rule 5 draft.
“It had been a long journey from being 18 to 25,” he said. “And being able to somewhat live with a day like [Tuesday].”
How did he deal with it mentally?
“A lot of reflection,” he said. “Being grateful for having the opportunity to be healthy again and hopefully step back out on the mound.”
Tuesday wasn’t exactly what you want the first time out on the mound after earning the initial opening day start of your young career. The Athletics pounded him for five runs on five hits, two homers and four walks in a bifurcated 3 2/3 innings. He threw 70 pitches and whiffed two.
Brent Rooker homered and doubled, and Nick Kurtz also homered. The big A’s bats did him in.
“I finished with [four] walks. It’s really hard to be successful in the majors with [four] walks,” he said. “Getting ahead with two strikes and giving up homers — obviously that’s not what you want—but that happens if you’re in the zone. If you’re not in the zone it’s two walks and then a three-run homer. We’ll just keep going, keep marching forward.”
He has two spring outings left and then it’s on to Milwaukee. As Smith only knows all too well, he feels great and there’s plenty of time to still work on some things.
“It’s always good to be nice and healthy,” he said. “I feel good physically. All that other stuff is easier to come by. If you feel like crap and you’re working on some stuff, none of that is going to be productive.”
Athletics 11, Sox 7
With spring training beginning to wind down, it’s a daily occurrence now and the Sox shed two more players Tuesday: Right-hander Ben Peoples and left-hander Tyler Schweitzer were both sent to the minor league camp. That leaves 50 players standing: 24 pitchers, five catchers, 10 infielders and 11 outfielders. About Peoples, Sox manager Will Venable said: “He’s got to be more aggressive in the zone. But really good stuff. Really like the demeanor.” About Schweitzer: “He’s a little bit different personality. Very excited to be on the mound pitching. Really competitive.”
• Miguel Vargas went 2-for-3 with two runs scored and raised his spring average to .344.
• Right fielder Derek Hill reached well above the fence at HoHoKam to rob Jeff McNeil of a home run to end the fourth.
• On deck: Angels at Sox, 3:05 p.m. Wednesday, Glendale, Alex Manoah vs. Anthony Kay.
