White Sox’ Peavy takes positive step in comeback

GLENDALE, Ariz. — When the lat muscle behind Jake Peavy’s right shoulder detached and rolled up his back like a window shade on July 6, he never knew if he’d have a day like Monday.

In another bright turn on the comeback trail, Peavy pitched live batting practice for the first time since suffering the season-ending injury.

There were times when the White Sox’ starting pitcher seriously wondered if he’d ever see another hitter.

“You certainly think about it when you’re sitting down with surgeons and they’re trying to figure out how they’re going to do the surgery,” Peavy said. “And trying to figure out a rehab program, it’s something that does cross your mind. What if I come back and I’m never close to the same? Certainly, that’s a thing you think about when you have some alone time.

“But I think we’re past all that now and I’m looking forward to trying to get back to being what I know I can be.”

Facing three minor-league hitters — Jordan Danks, Stefan Gartrell and Brandon Short — Peavy threw 40 pitches and didn’t look out of place.

He also snapped off a couple of breaking balls for the first time since starting a throwing program in November.

“I was putting a little bit more on the ball than I have the past times off the mound,” said Peavy, who wasn’t in camp the past two days while attending his grandmother’s funeral in Alabama. “I’m sure tomorrow will be a big day, see how we respond and how the arm bounces back and how much soreness there is. But just try to sweat some of it out and we’ll see what happens. Today all in all was a good day, I believe.”

While the Sox are bracing for a “blip” with Peavy this spring, the 29-year-old right-hander still has a sporting chance to break camp on the 25-man roster.

“I was probably going 75 percent today off the mound,” Peavy said. “I’m not even close to letting it go but I was certainly putting something on it just to make the ball move a little bit. I think you slowly work your way up to 100 percent.

“People don’t realize in a spring training game, your first two starts you’re not going like you go in the regular season. As a starter and somebody who’s made the team, you slowly build up to throwing the ball as hard as you can throw it. I think I would be about normal.”