New feeling for Jenks: He's healthy
TUCSON, Ariz. -- For as good as Bobby Jenks has been the last two seasons -- his 81 saves trail only the Padres' Trevor Hoffman (88) and the Angels' Francisco Rodriguez (87) -- spring training has been a different story.
Jenks has battled shoulder and elbow soreness and weight issues the last two years, but the White Sox' all-star closer has none of those problems this time around.
"This is the best I've felt since I came over here, you know, pre-surgery on the elbow,'' said Jenks, who had reconstructive surgery in 2004. "That's the biggest key for me -- finally starting out the right way and trying to work into the season without all of the questions over my head, especially from the management. It's nice to be feeling this good.''
While he wound up having a dominant season in 2007, Jenks struggled early, giving up 6 runs over 12¿ innings during April. The big right-hander allowed just 14 runs in 51½ innings the rest of the year.
"Bobby's throwing good,'' said Sox manager Ozzie Guillen. "This is the first spring we haven't had a problem with him. He always seemed to have a little setback with a sore elbow, but right now he's throwing the ball well.
"He just has to go out there, keep himself going from where he is right now and wait for the season to start, but I'm happy with where he is right now. We don't have to deal with the little problems we had to deal with in the past.''
Jenks pitched 1 scoreless inning against the Rangers on Thursday, working around a pair of walks.
"I was really happy about, obviously not the walks, but where my location was,'' Jenks said. "I was missing down, right around the plate. That's what I took out of today.''
MacDougal bounces back: After allowing 5 runs on 5 hits in his first 2 Cactus League innings, Mike MacDougal had a 1-2-3 inning against Texas on Thursday.
"He needs an outing like that,'' manager Ozzie Guillen said. "It's good for everyone. I think that's the first time I've seen this kid smile when he came off the mound for a few years. Every time he comes off the mound he's had a long face and worries.
"He's our project. If he goes out and does what he's supposed to do, our bullpen will be special. The stuff is there. He needs to have confidence. We've given him all the confidence we can give anyone. It's up to him to go out and perform.''
Around the horn: Robin Ventura, a star third baseman for the White Sox from 1989-98, arrived at camp Thursday. He'll be around for a couple of days. … Javier Vazquez is expected to return from Puerto Rico on Sunday. Vazquez went home Tuesday to be with his new baby daughter. … Gavin Floyd (flu) was scratched from his scheduled start Thursday. … Reliever Scott Linebrink (migraine) was also scratched. … Alexei Ramirez was 2-for-6 while playing second base in a "B'' game against the Rockies.
Rangers 6, White Sox 1
White Sox' record: 5-5
On the mound: Starter Charlie Haeger pitched 3 innings, allowing 3 runs on 5 hits. Bobby Jenks and Mike MacDougal each pitched a scoreless inning.
At the plate: The Sox were held to 3 hits. Paul Phillips singled in the second inning, Jermaine Dye singled in the fourth, and Jason Bourgeois singled in the eighth.
Next: Nick Masset starts against the Diamondbacks today in Tucson; Lance Broadway starts against Jon Garland and the Angels in Tempe.
-- Scot Gregor