Injuries holding some Cubs back

GLENDALE, Ariz. — The Cubs have been beset by a number of injuries lately, some more nagging than others.

To wit:

Ÿ Center-field prospect Albert Almora, broke the hamate bone on his left hand and is having the bone removed. The Cubs are hoping he’ll be able to play by May, quite likely for the Kane County Cougars after a possible rehab stint in Arizona.

Almora broke the news on Twitter. That means manager Dale Sveum didn’t find out that way.

“You guys know I don’t twit,” Sveum said.

Ÿ Center fielder Brett Jackson has been bothered by a sore right (throwing) shoulder. He was a lineup scratch from Friday’s game against Team Japan in Mesa.

“We’ll see what happens the next couple of days,” Sveum said. “I think there’s some soreness, a little bit more than that, for him to take himself out of the lineup. It doesn’t bother him hitting, just pinches when he throws.”

Ÿ Infielder Junior Lake, who is on the 40-man roster, is back at minor-league camp beginning a rehab for a stress fracture of the top rib on his right side.

Gavin a good go:Gavin Floyd had a solid start for the White Sox, going 5 innings, giving up 4 hits and 1 run while walking none and striking out five as the Sox beat the Cubs 15-3. In his previous outing, March 10 against the Reds, Floyd gave up 7 hits and 4 runs.#147;You try to work on building off your last start and seeing what things you can work on and execute better and just try to be as consistent as possible,#148; he said.#147;It#146;s a matter of getting your strength up and getting those long innings and being in game situations and building yourself up for stamina. I felt like everything was working pretty good today. #147;I threw some changeups in there, which were pretty good. I was using everything, and that#146;s usually a good place to be, working both sides of the plate and mixing everything in there. It was fun.#148;Sox manager Robin Ventura was happy.#147;He just looked sharp,#148; Ventura said. #147;When he#146;s got command like that, he#146;s tough.#148;The Sox got home runs from Jordan Danks, Dayan Viciedo (opposite-field grand slam) and Dewayne Wise. Feldman put to work:Cubs starting pitcher Scott Feldman saw his ERA rise from 9.00 to 11.81 as he gave up 7 hits and 7 runs in 3 innings. Sox batters also had some long plate appearances against him. #147;Whew, man, I didn#146;t need to be working like that,#148; he said. #147;It#146;s good to get your pitches in. The results aren#146;t always what indicative of how you throw the ball sometimes, especially in spring training here in Arizona. #147;But at this time of the year, you can just sort of evaluate your work on executing pitches and stuff like that rather than getting too concerned with results.#148;White Sox moves:White Sox catcher Tyler Flowers was a late lineup scratch because of a stiff back. He#146;s day to day. After the game, the Sox optioned right-handed pitchers Andre Rienzo and Jhan Marinez, catcher Josh Phegley and outfielder Jared Mitchell to Class AAA Charlotte. The Sox have 41 players left in major-league camp.BBO38853048Javier Baez watches his walk off two-run home run against Japan during the bottom the ninth inning of an exhibition spring training baseball game in Mesa, Ariz. Friday, March 15, 2013. Associated PressBBOBBO24853649Dayan Viciedo watches his grand slam off Hector Rondon in the fourth inning of the White Sox’ 15-3 victory Friday in Glendale, Ariz.Associated Press BBOBBO28212041Dioner Navarro dives back to first under Chicago White Sox first baseman Adam Dunn after an RBI single in the fourth inning of an exhibition spring training baseball game Friday, March 15, 2013, in Glendale, Ariz. Associated Press BBOBBO20011298Cubs starting pitcher Travis Wood delivers against Japan during the second inning of an exhibition baseball game in Mesa, Ariz. Friday, March 15, 2013. Associated Press BBOBBO14892065Jordan Danks watches his two-run home run off Chicago Cubs starting pitcher Scott Feldman in the second inning of an exhibition spring training baseball game Friday, March 15, 2013, in Glendale, Ariz. Associated Press BBO