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Keep an eye on healthy Guyer in White Sox camp

GLENDALE, Ariz. - Like many free agents this year, Brandon Guyer wasn't happy sitting around the phone waiting for a call.

"It was slow, just like it has been for everybody," Guyer said. "A lot of minor-league offers. We were just trying to wait because I thought I deserved a major-league offer. That didn't happen so it came down to the White Sox and a couple other teams that I thought were the best fits."

Less than a week before the Sox opened training camp, they signed Guyer to a minor-league deal. It could turn out to be a shrewd move.

When he's healthy, the 33-year-old outfielder is an effective player.

Guyer has wrist surgery at the end of the 2017 Indians, when he was with the Indians. The injury was still bothering him last year.

"When I'm healthy, I think my numbers speak for themselves," Guyer said. "After having the surgery, I just wasn't myself the first half of last season. The wrist just wasn't right. In the second half I felt great and I put up the normal numbers I have my whole career.

"Now it's feeling even better than that. I'm just in a really good place right now health-wise. I'm excited."

In seven seasons with the Rays and Indians, Guyer has a .250/.339/.388 hitting line with 32 home runs and 137 RBI.

From 2015-18, he's been hit by 74 pitches, the third-most in baseball behind Anthony Rizzo (90) and Derek Dietrich (76).

"It's a combination of things," said Guyer, a right-handed hitter. "Lefties pitch me in a lot. I'm not close to the plate but when I stride I kind of close myself off. Not on purpose, it's just a habit. My entire baseball life, I've led my team in hit by pitches.

"I don't move, I just kind of freeze. I don't wear protective gear because it's uncomfortable. It happens, but I get on base. I never think about it."

If Guyer makes the Sox's 25-man roster, he'll get $1.6 million.

Learning curve:

Dylan Covey showed some flashes of brilliance last season, winning three straight games in June while allowing only 2 earned runs in 18 innings and throwing 12 scoreless innings in two September starts against Cleveland.

But a lack of consistency forced a move from White Sox's rotation to the bullpen, and the 27-year-old righty finished the season 5-14 with a 5.18 ERA.

This spring, Covey is in the mix for the No. 5 starter's job.

"I have a lot of confidence," Covey said. "I know I had some good success last year so I need to just iron out the in-between starts where I get hit around a little bit, didn't make those adjustments early enough."

Signed to a minor-league contract in early February, outfielder Brandon Guyer is in camp with the Chicago White Sox. Guyer has been bothered by a left wrist injury the last two years but he is fully healthy. Associated Press
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