Colon, Contreras, showing progress
GLENDALE, Ariz. - Pitchers Bartolo Colon and Jose Contreras each emerged from Friday's starts in good physical health.
For now, that's good enough for the White Sox.
"If those guys aren't ready by April 6, I've got guys who can fill that spot and come back strong," Sox manager Ozzie Guillen said.
Time is still on the White Sox' side, and Colon and Contreras each need every minute they can get.
Colon, 35, pitched Friday in a minor-league game against the Class A Texas Rangers and delivered 3 scoreless innings.
The right-hander faced 18 batters and allowed 3 hits while striking out four and walking one. Colon's fastball topped out at 87 mph.
"Basically, another step forward," pitching coach Don Cooper said. "He threw 3 innings of (44) pitches. We have just enough time to get him ready if he continues to progress. He felt good all throughout the outing. We'll check him tomorrow morning.
"If he feels good, he'll be on a five-day workweek. He'll pitch five days from now. We're not sure where yet; we haven't decided that. But we are heading forward. He's out there for 3 innings, everything is a little bit better. But we need more and we have to continue to climb."
Guillen still isn't quite sure what to make of Colon, who allowed 4 runs on 3 hits and 2 walks in his Cactus League debut Monday against the Royals.
"For me, he's a tough kid to figure out," Guillen said. "He's going to take it little by little. His command was a lot better; velocity was the same. He made a lot of early contact. I feel pretty good with what I saw.
"We've got to see tomorrow how he feels. Last time he pitched (Monday), the next day he was a little stiff. Hopefully tomorrow he feels a little better."
Statistically, Contreras was much better in his first exhibition outing than he was Friday.
Taking the mound for the first time Sunday since rupturing his left Achilles' tendon on Aug. 9, Contreras breezed through 2 scoreless innings against the Mariners.
Against the Giants on Friday, Contreras pitched 3 innings and allowed 3 runs (2 earned) on 5 hits and 2 walks.
"I was opening up my (right) shoulder," Contreras said through an interpreter. "I felt fine, but I felt like I was aiming the ball and that came from my mechanics."
It looks like the 37-year-old veteran is going to get 3, possibly 4 more starts before the regular season. Contreras is looking forward to the work.
"I'm ready physically and mentally," Contreras said. "But I need to pitch to get ready for the season. I felt stronger (Friday). My split finger was way better; my slider was way better. The pitches were there. They only hit me because I got behind in the count. That's why you pitch in spring training, to get ready for the season."
Guillen agrees Contreras needs more time to get ready.
"Contreras was not too good today," Guillen said. "We made a couple mistakes in the field and did not help him. He was a little rough. His command was poor. I expect that, but it seemed like he got tired. He's got a couple more starts to see how he feels and see what happens."
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