Healthy Cedeno an asset out of Chicago White Sox's bullpen

Yes, the Chicago White Sox are focused on the future.

That doesn't mean they're taking the present for granted.

The Sox actually go out and try to win every game on their schedule, just like every other major-league team.

The biggest obstacle they're facing is talent. In most games, the opposing team has better players, and that's why the White Sox head into Tuesday night's game against the Minnesota Twins with the third-worst record (26-51) in baseball.

Every now and then, the Sox play nail-biting games and they rise to the occasion.

Facing the Oakland Athletics in Game 2 of a doubleheader Friday at Guaranteed Rate Field, the White Sox were clinging to a 5-4 lead in the eighth inning.

Oakland had runners on first and third with no outs when manager Rick Renteria summoned for Xavier Cedeno.

"When he's healthy, he can help the club," said Sox bullpen coach Curt Hasler.

The 31-year-old lefty is finally healthy, and Cedeno has been a huge help out of the bullpen.

Walking into a full-blown jam against the A's, Cedeno strolled out unscathed after getting Matt Olson to line out, striking out Mark Canha and retiring Chad Pinder on a groundball.

"Another good one for Cedeno," Renteria said. "X was able to lock down that inning for us."

Since coming up from Class AAA Charlotte on June 7, Cedeno has made 9 relief appearances and hasn't given up a run over 7⅓ innings. He has allowed only 2 hits while issuing 4 walks and striking out 11.

As Hasler was saying, it's all about health.

"As long as my arm feels good, I'll be out there throwing the ball over the plate," Cedeno said. "That's what I focus on. Everything is feeling good right now. Thank God for that, after the injury last year. It's been a long ways back for me."

In 2017, Cedeno entered his third year in the Tampa Bay bullpen brimming with confidence.

He had a 2.09 ERA in 61 appearances in 2015 and limited hitters to a .229 batting average over 54 appearances with the Rays in '16.

Last year, Cedeno went on the disabled list in mid-April with a left-forearm strain and missed the rest of the season.

"It was very frustrating because my last couple of years before that, I had an everyday role in Tampa," he said. "I was doing very well, pitching almost every game. It's a good feeling when you're doing that. All of the sudden you get hurt and you don't contribute.

"It hurts, and it's definitely a bad feeling. But it happens in baseball; people get hurt all the time. You have to bounce back."

Cedeno did bounce back, but not before experiencing an anxious off-season. After being non-tendered by the Rays, he was planning to play winter ball in his native Puerto Rico to prove he was healthy and catch on with another team.

"I decided not to pitch in Puerto Rico, so maybe teams were worried," Cedeno said. "I wanted to rest and get stronger. I worked a lot in the off-season, and it paid off for me."

Three weeks before spring training, Cedeno signed a minor-league contract with the Sox.

"We had a few offers, but we picked a team that would give me a chance to show what I can do in the big leagues," Cedeno said. "The White Sox gave me that opportunity and I'm happy for that."

If Cedeno continues to thrive, he actually could emerge as a trade candidate before the July 31 nonwaiver deadline.

Why has he been so successful with the Sox?

"Fastball, cutter, curve," Hasler said. "He can make it stay straight arm side. He can cut it on both sides of the plate. He throws his curveball for strikes, and he's continuing to work on a changeup.

"That combination of pitches, along with his confidence right now, it makes him dangerous. He's been around and he knows what he wants to do. He goes out there and executes."

• Designated for assignment last week, outfielder Trayce Thompson cleared waivers and was outrighted to Class AAA Charlotte.

Thompson played in 48 games for the White Sox this season and batted .116 with 3 home runs and 9 RBI.