White Sox won't push Sale in first start

Left-handed ace Chris Sale is all set to start for the White Sox on Sunday in the series finale against the Minnesota Twins.

Sale did not pitch in the Cactus League after suffering a foot fracture in late February. Look for the Sox to take it easy on him Sunday.

"We'll be cautious," general manager Rick Hahn said. "We have a general number (of pitches) in mind. It really isn't to our strategic advantage to throw that out there for the Twins. But we'll be cautious and respond by how his body and stuff looks and act accordingly."

Manager Robin Ventura was a little more specific.

"You're hoping around 6 innings; he can get up there and 90 to mid-90s," Ventura said. "If it was his arm, that would be one thing, but he's looked great in the past of just his mechanics, and watch him in spring getting closer and closer to where he is now.

"We're pretty happy with where he is now with that and you want to make sure you're not running him out there and not getting him overextended."

Honoring Minnie Minoso:

The White Sox had a nice video tribute to the late Minnie Minoso during Friday's pregame ceremonies. They also remembered Cubs Hall of Famer Ernie Banks, who also died this past winter.

Sox shortstop Alexei Ramirez went one better, wearing Minoso's name and retired No. 9 on the back of his uniform. Like Minoso, Ramirez is from Cuba.

"My relationship with Minnie was beyond the field," Ramirez said through a translator. "When I heard the news about his death, I thought I had to do something. I kept in communication with the family, and I asked them to wear his number today, and they accepted (the offer)."

Nice new digs:

The home clubhouse at U.S. Cellular Field has been given a facelift. Players have nicer lockers, and a big TV at one end allows them to scout opponents, if they wish.

"It's fantastic," Rick Hahn said. "The clubhouse is fantastic. Really thrilled with the hard work Terry Savarise and Don Esposito (of the Sox staff) put in and all the people on their staffs, and the stadium authority.

"It looks fantastic. We are thrilled. It's something that was due, and everyone followed through on their promises."

Enough about the catch:

Center fielder Adam Eaton said he's always sore, so there was nothing out of the ordinary for him after making a fantastic diving catch Thursday in Kansas City.

The Sox lost the game and got swept in the series, so Eaton was not dwelling on the catch.

"I still don't care about it, I really don't," he said. "That's what you're supposed to do. Really, you're supposed to go out there and catch the baseball. To be a good outfielder you have to catch balls that other guys don't. Everyone here would say the same thing.

"You don't relish on what a great play this was. You want to win ballgames and at the end of the day if you don't win it doesn't matter."