Vazquez looks sharp
TUCSON, Ariz. -- Javier Vazquez could have gone one of two ways Wednesday.
Scratched from his last Cactus League start so he could return home to Puerto Rico and spend time with his new baby daughter, the right-hander was back on the mound against the Colorado Rockies.
He could have shown some rust … or he could have built on his last start before exiting camp.
Fortunately for the White Sox, Vazquez followed the second path.
In the most impressive outing by any Sox pitcher this spring, Vazquez pitched 5 scoreless innings against the Rockies, allowing 1 hit while striking out seven.
"I felt pretty good,'' Vazquez said. "I mixed in all my pitches, and that's something I didn't do as well the last time out.''
That was March 2, when Vazquez allowed 5 runs (4 earned) on 5 hits in 2½ innings against the Arizona Diamondbacks in his first spring outing.
Vazquez kept throwing in Puerto Rico, and he looked sharp against Colorado.
"That was the key. I threw a simulated game because I didn't want to fall behind," he said. "Today, everything was working. I threw the curveball, changeup, slider, cutter, everything. The last time, I was basically just throwing a lot of fastballs.''
Sidelined again: After playing his first exhibition game in a week Tuesday, center fielder Jerry Owens was held out of the lineup Wednesday.
Owens has been battling a strained groin since Feb. 25.
"He was sore,'' manager Ozzie Guillen said. "I'd rather have him miss a couple days up here than for a long time during the season. I'm not worried about it, but I'm concerned. Those kinds of injuries can be real bad. We still have 2-3 weeks to get it set.''
Cut day: The White Sox made their first roster moves of the spring, moving 12 players off the major-league roster.
Four right-handed pitchers -- Lance Broadway, Dewon Day, Charlie Haeger and Oneli Perez -- were optioned to Class AAA Charlotte.
Right-handed pitcher Lucas Harrell was optioned to AA Birmingham, and the Sox released left-hander Carlos Vasquez.
Infielders Chris Getz, Royce Huffman, Jeff Liefer and Mike Rouse, outfielder Miguel Negron and catcher Ryan Smith were reassigned to minor-league camp.
The White Sox have 39 players remaining in camp.
Feeling better: Danny Richar (sore upper back) was able to hit in the cage Wednesday, and the second baseman said he hopes to play in a Cactus League game this weekend.
"It feels a lot better,'' Richar said after swinging a bat for the first time in a week. "I want to get back out there as soon as I can and show them what I can do.''
Feeling OK: Paul Konerko was held out of Wednesday's game with a sore right toe.
"If it were the regular season, I'd play,'' Konerko said. "It's not like I can't play. It's a little bit inflamed, and with the off-day (today), I can use these two days to get it calmed down.''
White Sox 4, Rockies 1
White Sox' record: 8-9
At the plate: Brian Anderson continued his strong bid to win a backup outfield job, going 2-for-3 and hitting his team-high third home run of the spring. Josh Fields was 3-for-4, Nick Swisher 2-for-3.
On the mound: Starter Javier Vazquez pitched 5 scoreless innings, allowing just 1 hit. Vazquez had 7 strikeouts and retired the last nine batters he faced. Scott Linebrink, Octavio Dotel and Bobby Jenks each pitched 1 scoreless inning.
Next: The Sox are off today. Jose Contreras starts against the A's on Friday in Tucson.
-- Scot Gregor