Sale psyched for first start of the season Sunday
KANSAS CITY, Mo. - When Chris Sale went down with a fractured right foot at the end of February, the White Sox knew their ace starter was not going to pitch in the Cactus League.
How much of the regular season Sale was going to miss was the much bigger concern, and the Sox look to have caught a break.
Sale was back with the club Wednesday at Kauffman Stadium, and he is only missing one start.
"From what it first looked like to where we're at now you're pretty excited that it's only one turn, as good as he is," manager Robin Ventura said. "We feel pretty lucky that he's able to come back when he is and he doesn't miss too much time."
Sale, picked by many to make a strong run at the Cy Young Award after going 12-4 with a 2.17 ERA while striking out 208 in 174 innings last year, is scheduled to debut on Sunday against the Twins at U.S. Cellular Field.
"It's behind me," Sale said of the injury. "I was hurt; I'm not hurt anymore. I think it's time to take the blinders off and run the race."
While he missed the entire Cactus League season, Sale was able to pitch in two minor-league games. The left-hander said his arm feels great.
"Knock on wood, I feel better than I have and it saves some bullets, really," Sale said. "I don't know how much emphasis I'm going to put on not having all the innings that some of the other guys have, but I'm hoping it means my arm just feels a little better than theirs does. Got to save a few bullets and hopefully they come out in October."
Catching up:
Tyler Flowers started his second straight game Wednesday, and he hit a big 3-run homer to put the White Sox in front in the third inning.
Manager Robin Ventura said newcomer Geovany Soto will start at catcher in Thursday's series finale against the Royals.
"Every once in a while you're probably going to see (Soto) DH, too," Ventura said. "We'll probably have one of them catch and one of them DH against certain lefties. You'd like (Soto) to be able to get in there a couple times a week."
Danks debut:
John Danks struggled in the Cactus League, giving up 8 runs in 10⅓ innings.
"I haven't even looked at them," Danks said of his spring numbers. "I don't know what they are. That's the honest truth. I don't know what they are. Obviously, during the game you don't want to get hit around but there are other factors that go into spring training. There were games we were working on certain pitches and doing certain things with the mechanics. I don't put any stock in it."
Danks, the Sox' highest-paid player this season at $15.75 million, starts against Kansas City Thursday.
"I feel good, ready to go," said Danks, who is a lifetime 7-0 with a 2.43 ERA in 16 starts vs. the Royals. "I think I can give us just as good a chance as anybody, and I'm looking forward to showing that tomorrow."