Everybody has heard the phrase, “It’s only spring training.” White Sox manager Jerry Manuel doesn’t believe in it.
He continued his critical assessment of various Sox players Saturday. This time, James Baldwin took a hit from Manuel after getting hit hard in the Sox’s 4-3 victory over Milwaukee.
“It’s a major concern,” Manuel said. “I came here thinking he was a solid starter along with Jaime Navarro. I’m going to want to see a better (performance) than what I’ve seen.
“I’ll tell him the same thing–I’m not shy about honesty. I think James has the stuff to be a big winner in the league because he has a good arm, but there’s something there. . . . We’ve got to get this guy right.”
Baldwin gave up five hits and three earned runs in three-plus innings Saturday, raising his earned-run average to 6.49 in three spring starts.
“Every guy’s got to get the benefit of the doubt right now,” Manuel said, “but if you’re historically a .500 pitcher, then you might have to move on if we don’t want to be a .500 club.”
Baldwin’s career record is 23-22. As is standard practice in spring training, he left the clubhouse before the game ended and was not available to reporters.
Breakout game: Manuel had Mike Caruso bat leadoff Saturday to get the 20-year-old shortstop more involved in the game. It worked.
“I saw the player people have been talking about,” Manuel said.
Caruso’s lucky number was two. Making his second straight start, he had two singles, scored twice and turned two double plays. “I had a good game today–I’d like to do that every day,” he said.
Benji Gil will start the next two games.
Still hurting: Jason Bere doesn’t want to miss his next start, but he might not have a choice. His pitching arm is severely bruised from a sharp line drive that left an imprint Thursday.
He played catch Saturday but may not face hitters this week.
“Obviously I don’t want to go out there limping and having to work my way through it,” he said.
Bere missed the better part of the last two seasons with elbow problems, and there’s a possibility that he won’t be ready by Opening Day, three weeks away.
“Sometimes a bruise can be as bad as a break because of how it affects the muscles,” Manuel said. “I hope he’s ready, but I don’t want to rush him.”
Inside the numbers: Manuel is leaning toward keeping just two catchers, Charlie O’Brien and Chad Kreuter. That would clear room for utility infielders Chris Snopek and Greg Norton. Snopek is hitting .589 this spring, and Norton hit two homers Thursday.
