GLENDALE, Ariz. — The White Sox’ Davis Martin made three innings against the Asian Breeze, an independent team that’s a cut below major league competition, look easy Thursday.
Three innings with five strikeouts, no hits and no walks allowed and filling the zone with 34 strikes in a 45-pitch exercise left Martin feeling good about everything he’s doing this spring.
“I’ve kind of got the taste of the big leagues but I want the whole thing now,” Martin said. “I want all 33 starts. All starters talk about it. It’s something we pride ourselves on and something I really want to do.”
Martin made 10 starts last year coming back from Tommy John surgery, and posted a respectable 4.32 ERA. He made a pair of two-inning Cactus League starts before Thursday, allowing one hit and no walks.
While adding a sinker to his arsenal this spring, Martin has been sharp regardless of the competition, and he is building a case for the Sox’ Opening Day start against the Angels March 27 at Rate Field. Jonathan Cannon and Martin Perez are under consideration as well.
Manager Will Venable insisted the decision hasn’t been made yet.
“I can tell you we do not know yet,” Venable said.
“Still working through it. Day to day, honestly. There are a couple factors we’re still sorting through. It will not be long.”
Benintendi swings
Andrew Benintendi’s second scan since he suffered a broken bone when hit by a pitch in his right hand Feb. 27 was clean. The outfielder hit off a tee and took flips in the batting cage and felt good, Venable said.
“I would say we’re not ruling it out,” he said of Benintendi’s lofty goal to be ready for Opening Day. “His health is the number one priority and we also want him to be ready, so there is a possibility that lines up for Opening Day but we’ll take it day by day and not going to rush his health.”
Outfielder Austin Slater (oblique) also hit in the cage and “felt good,” Venable said.
“I know it wasn’t full speed but he came out of it well.”
Vargas swinging it
Miguel Vargas, who batted .105 after he was traded from the Dodgers at last year’s deadline, had 10 hits in his first 24 at-bats this spring, including two in his first two at-bats Thursday.
“His confidence was shot a little bit and he had some mechanical issues that harmed him,” hitting coach Marcus Thames said. “Getting stronger and being able to hold his body in the right position, that’s going to help him.
“So far this spring he’s looked great. But it’s still early. He’s still grinding. But we have to get him off to a good start.”
Venable’s fan club increases
The addition of outfielder Travis Jankowski, who played for the Rangers the last two seasons when Will Venable was associate manager in Texas, added one to Venable’s fan club. Jankowski, 34, knows Venable learned from one of the best in future Hall of Fame manager Bruce Bochy.
“I’m sure he was picking his brain,” Jankowski said. “Will being in this position now is incredible for him, and he’s going to have a long career as a manager with his personality and how he interacts with guys.
“Awesome guy. And the transparency.”
Jankowski, signed to a minor league deal with an invite to camp Wednesday, played his first game for the Sox.
Sox vs. Brewers
Shane Smith, the Rule 5 Draft pick vying for a spot in the starting rotation, threw four innings of one-hit ball with one walk and eight strikeouts against the Asian Breeze.
On deck
Reds at Sox, 3:05 p.m., Friday, Glendale, Brent Suter vs. Mason Adams, Webcast, 1000-AM