Thornton makes return today for bullpen work
TUCSON, Ariz. -- The addition of veterans Scott Linebrink and Octavio Dotel is good news for the White Sox' bullpen, which took a beating last season.
But the Sox still need another all-star season from closer Bobby Jenks, and they need much better efforts from holdovers Mike MacDougal and Matt Thornton.
MacDougal was roughed up again in Monday's exhibition loss to the Royals, allowing 2 runs on 2 hits in 1 inning.
Thornton makes his Cactus League debut today after dealing with some elbow soreness early in camp.
"I'm feeling real good and looking forward to getting back out there,'' said Thornton, who was a disappointing 4-4 with a 4.79 ERA last season. "We've got some new guys here, guys that have gotten it done before. I think the bullpen is going to be a lot better.''
With 68 appearances last season and 63 the year before, Thornton took it easy over the winter. When he got to training camp, the 6-foot-5 lefty got an early scare.
"I didn't throw any bullpens during the off-season, and when I started throwing here I felt something in the back of my elbow,'' Thornton said. "I've never had anything there, so I wanted to get it taken care of right away.''
Thornton was shut down for more than a week, but he got back on the mound Saturday and threw 40 pitches. He is scheduled to throw 1 inning today.
"I had some discomfort in the elbow that I've never had before,'' Thornton said. "But the range of motion is there, and I'm able to let it go with no problem. I'm actually feeling a lot better than I did last year.''
In the swing: Nick Swisher hit 35 home runs for the Oakland A's in 2006 and followed up with 22 last season. Now that he's with the White Sox, who play at hitter-friendly U.S. Cellular Field, Swisher might make a run at 40 homers.
On Sunday, Swisher went deep twice in the Sox' exhibition game against the Diamondbacks at Hermosillo, Mexico.
"I think it's a little early to be jumping the gun in a sense like that,'' Swisher said of his power potential. "It was one great game, and for me, I was happy to do that just to get that confidence factor up. But it's so early right now. All I'm trying to do is put the barrel on the ball and whatever happens after that happens.''
Masset makes a statement: Nick Masset is on the outside looking in this spring, but the right-hander impressed manager Ozzie Guillen on Sunday with 3 scoreless innings in his start against Arizona.
Masset spent most of his time with the Sox last season in the bullpen, and he struggled while going 2-3 with a 7.09 ERA. He lost 25 pounds over the winter and reported to camp open to any role.
"I'd love to be in the bullpen. I'd love to be starting,'' Masset said. "I think I learned a lot out of the bullpen last year. It was a tremendous experience for me. It really doesn't matter where I'm at. I'd love to be starting, though, because it's something that I'm used to doing.''
Royals 7, White Sox 6
White Sox' record: 3-4
At the plate: Alexei Ramirez hit a 3-run triple. Jermaine Dye was 1-for-2 with 1 RBI.
On the mound: Starter John Danks pitched 3 innings and allowed 1 unearned run on 2 hits. Bobby Jenks and Mike MacDougal each pitched 1 inning and gave up 2 runs.
Next: Jose Contreras starts against the Angels today in Tucson.
-- Scot Gregor