PHOENIX — White Sox infielder Josh Rojas (hairline fracture in his right big toe) is hoping to get on the field in the next three or four days. In the meantime, he is riding a stationary bike, lifting weights and taking treatment.
“Trying to push it most I can every day to get more movement out if it, it’s going to be a pain tolerance thing,” he said. “I don’t want to get on the field until I feel like I don’t have to baby it. So we’re getting there.”
The Sox host the Angels next Thursday to open the season, and while having Rojas ready seems optimistic, they’re not yet ruling it out, knowing the next few days will give more clarity. Recovery for such an injury is tough to predict.
“The biggest thing is keeping my body in shape so when I feel I’m ready I can go full speed,” Rojas said. “I don’t want there to be three four days where I’m healthy and have to get my body back in shape.”
Rojas was hurt playing third base when a baserunner slid of the side of his foot.
“Cleats don’t offer much protection, they’re light,” he said. “Ordered some new ones immediately, so, we made that adjustment.”
Rojas, 30 was non-tendered by the Mariners after he batted .225 with eight homers in 143 games last year, then signed a one-year $3.5 million in January. He’s batting .313/.353/.406 in 11 games and figures to play regularly at second base when he’s healthy.
Benintendi, Slater return
Outfielders Andrew Benintendi (broken bone in right hand) and Austin Slater (oblique strain) returned to the lineup Wednesday, Benintendi as the designated hitter. Benintendi will play the outfield Friday as he accumulates the necessary at-bats he’d need to be ready for the opener.
“I’m planning on it,” said Benintendi, who was hit by a pitch Feb. 27. “I said I was going to be there. Spoke it into existence. Get some ABs [Wednesday] and keep going.”
Benintendi grounded out to second his first two times up and flied out to right. Slater was 0-for-3 with two strikeouts.
Notes
Venable said he might reveal the order of the starting rotation following Opening Day starter Sean Burke as late as next week.
*Venable said bullpen spots are still being evaluated and pieced together. “It’s going to be right down to the finish line to ride this thing out and see where we’re at,” he said.
Sox at Brewers
Shane Smith pitched four scoreless innings against his former team, and outfielder Michael A. Taylor doubled in two runs. Closer candidate Mike Clevinger (0.00 ERA) struck out two in a scoreless inning.
On deck: Angels at Sox, Thursday, Glendale, 3:05 p.m., Jack Kochanowicz vs. Martin Perez