Colon, Contreras tune up for their first starts
SURPRISE, Ariz. - The Colon and Contreras Show is ready for a bigger stage.
Taking another step toward locking up the final two spots in the White Sox' starting rotation, Bartolo Colon and Jose Contreras each threw another round of live batting practice Thursday morning.
"Both guys threw two sets of 25 (pitches) and they both threw well," said Sox pitching coach Don Cooper. "They both threw their pitches to the glove. They both made guys swing. We are climbing and getting closer to them being back and getting into the fourth and fifth spot. Nothing today is pointing in any other direction than a positive direction again."
Contreras is scheduled to make his first Cactus League start Sunday against Seattle. Colon gets his first start Monday against Kansas City.
"They are getting officially untracked on the first day out there," Cooper said.
Contreras is looking forward to making his first start since Aug. 7, when he ruptured his left Achilles tendon.
"I want it come as fast as possible," Contreras said through a translator. "I'm not going to deny that I feel jittery about Sunday because all the hard work I put in to get back. Everything will come out on Sunday and show what I can do. I'm looking forward to Sunday, big time."
Getz going: Chris Getz still is the leading candidate to open the season as the White Sox' starting second baseman.
In Thursday's 9-3 exhibition loss to the Royals on Thursday, Getz (.304) was 1-for-2 with a walk. He also played a solid defensive game.
"Getz is getting into the groove," manager Ozzie Guillen said.
Getz batted eighth against Kansas City. He'd likely stay at the bottom of the order if he breaks camp with the Sox.
"I'd rather for him to be like (Alexei) Ramirez, you know just stay down there (in the lineup), don't put too much pressure on himself, make the plays, that's what I expect from second base," Ozzie Guillen said. "Just go up there and do your job."
Richard roughed up: Clayton Richard started Thursday for the White Sox and breezed through the first three innings. In the fourth he allowed 2 runs on 3 hits and a walk before being pulled.
"He threw well," manager Ozzie Guillen said. "He was out of gas a little bit at the end. He was over 50 pitches."
Richard was considered a candidate for the fifth starter's spot before Jose Contreras' rapid recovery. Guillen said the situation still is much the same.
"I don't count on them (Contreras and Bartolo Colon) yet," Guillen said. "I would be the happiest man in camp, but I can't. We can't forget about those kids (Richard and Jeff Marquez) coming out and getting work."