Chicago White Sox's Frazier still bothered by sprained finger
A left index finger injury that slowed up third baseman Todd Frazier over the final week of last season is again giving the Chicago White Sox's third baseman trouble.
Frazier said he re-aggravated the finger lifting weights during the off-season, and he arrived at SoxFest Friday with a splint on his left hand.
"I felt it the fourth to last game of the year on a check swing and didn't really think anything of it," Frazier said. "It kind of went away, and when I started working out again I started to feel it so I had to say something. I got an MRI, it's just a sprain. It looks worse than it is, the little contraption, the splint they put on."
Frazier had a follow-up MRI on the finger Friday and he's hoping to be good to go when spring training opens next month.
"No tear," Frazier said. "Looks worse than what it is. I'm just worried about swinging. I'll be getting back into the swing of things pretty soon. There might be a little slow process in the beginning but I'll get going here a couple weeks in."
Sox sign Bourjos:
First reported by the Chicago Tribune, the White Sox confirmed they signed outfielder Peter Bourjos to a minor-league contract.
Born in Park Ridge, the 29-year-old Bourjos also gets an invitation to major-league training camp next month.
Bourjos has played for the Angels, Cardinals and Phillies. In 123 games with Philadelphia last season, he batted .251 with 20 doubles, 7 triples, 5 home runs, 23 RBI and 6 stolen bases.
Clearing the air:
Chris Sale and Adam Eaton both had clubhouse issues last season, with the former gaining international attention and a five-game suspension after cutting up throwback uniforms he didn't care for on his scheduled night to pitch.
White Sox general manager Rick Hahn on Friday denied Sale and Eaton were traded in December because of their personalities.
"Let me be as clear as I can, the trades had zero to do with anything that happened outside of the white lines," Hahn said. "The reason they were moved is because we weren't in a position to contend with them on our roster."
Kopech challenge:
When Todd Frazier's sprained finger is fully healed, he's looking forward to taking batting practice against hard-throwing newcomer Michael Kopech in spring training.
"I saw the video and I think Kopech threw 110 (mph) on a crow hop, so I'd like to face him in spring training and see what he's got, a little challenge yourself kind of thing," Frazier said. "Then we go from there."
The 20-year-old Kopech, one of four prospects acquired from the Red Sox in the Chris Sale trade, is game.
"If (Frazier's) excited about it, he must think I'm not too great," Kopech said with a laugh. "No, he's a guy like me, he likes a challenge and I think that's huge for me to face big-league talent, especially at his level, and I think he's just excited to see a fastball from me because that's what goes with my name."