There was minor cause for relief in Tucson and celebration at the Maryvale Baseball Park, where Paul Konerko was serenaded with “Happy Birthday” from a hearty group of White Sox fans on his 31st birthday while standing in the on-deck circle.
The Sox had all the bases covered Monday, as closer Bobby Jenks passed his first test since suffering right shoulder stiffness by pitching a scoreless inning in a “B” game against the Rockies at the Kino Sports Complex.
And left-hander Mark Buehrle pitched three crisp innings in the Sox’s 4-3 loss to the Brewers, a marked improvement over his rocky spring debut Thursday against Colorado.
In addition to scrutinizing the competition for the fifth-starter spot and middle-relief roles, the Sox hope to maintain their strength with their regular-season opener four weeks away.
The only setback, albeit minor, was that infielder Alex Cintron had to leave the “B” game after three innings because of tightness in his left calf. Cintron was playing his first game after undergoing off-season surgery to remove bone chips in his right throwing elbow. Cintron said he didn’t think the calf injury was serious.
Cintron bounced a sidearm throw to first baseman Eduardo Perez but later reverted to the overhand style the Sox have recommended to take pressure off his elbow.
Cintron’s injury has enabled Robert Valido, 21, once touted as the Sox’s shortstop of the future, to receive more playing time.
The Brewers game and “B” game enabled the Sox to develop depth and insurance. Jenks probably won’t pitch again until Thursday in a “B” game and admittedly isn’t trying to throw at 100 percent velocity, making sure his mechanics remain sound.
“Everything is clicking,” Jenks said after a 23-pitch outing in which his fastball was clocked at 94 m.p.h.
Jenks allowed a hit and walk while striking out one. Pitching coach Don Cooper intimated that Jenks could throw more than one inning Thursday.
At Maryvale, Mike MacDougal threw a perfect inning against the heart of the Brewers’ batting order. MacDougal, who has 50 major-league saves, provides insurance if Jenks suffers a recurrence of shoulder stiffness.
“I won’t be panicking because I know we have guys with closer’s stuff,” manager Ozzie Guillen said. “I don’t know about their mentality, but they have great enough stuff to be a closer. I’d rather have Bobby, but it’s one thing I don’t worry about.”
Buehrle, coming off his worst season, also looked more effective than Thursday, when he was tagged for four runs on six hits in two innings.
Buehrle surrendered a solo homer in the second to Bill Hall, but he struck out three, didn’t allow a walk and changed speeds effectively.
“My velocity was there, and I was hitting my spots well,” said Buehrle, who threw more off-speed and breaking pitches. “I was using everything. Confidence-wise and numbers-wise it’s a lot better.”
Buehrle had several Brewers hitters lunging at his pitches.
“The problem last year was he lost his fastball a little bit,” Guillen said. “When you throw the fastball almost the same speed as your changeup, it’s going to catch up with you. He threw his cutter well. Right now, he’s going to stay stronger and his cutter is working well. He’s kept the ball down. Last year his pitches were up in the strike zone, and that’s why we got hurt. I think we’re going to see a consistent Buehrle this year.”
Buehrle threw 15 more pitches in the bullpen after his outing to build up his endurance and enable more pitchers to throw in the game.
“We got a lot of guys who are good to go,” said Cooper, one day after Sox special assistant Bill Scherrer scouted the Yankees’ Carl Pavano, who is guaranteed $22.95 million over the next two seasons. “We have good arms. I just want them to hit the strike zone. All of the `B’ games give us opportunities to evaluate.”
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mgonzales@tribune.com
