The White Sox have another goal this spring.
It’s getting beleaguered reliever Mike MacDougal back on track.
“I’m not an easy guy to get to give up on my players, [especially] if you have that kind of stuff and see everything is out there,” manager Ozzie Guillen said after MacDougal allowed three straight hits, capped by a three-run homer to Arizona’s Mark Reynolds in the Sox’s 7-5 victory.
“Every time you see him on the mound, you hope for him to click right away.”
MacDougal was making his first spring appearance after posting a 6.80 ERA in 54 games last season.
“We need to put it together and make sure this outing doesn’t affect him for the next ones,” Guillen said.
Owens sore but effective
Leadoff batter Jerry Owens admitted his right groin was a little sore after scoring two runs, laying down a bunt single and scoring from second on a single in his first exhibition game.
“I was a little slow on my first step,” Owens said. “There were a few balls in the outfield I might have been able to get to.
“But overall, I’m pleased with how it felt.”
Owens is scheduled to start Saturday against Arizona right-hander Dan Haren.
Catching quandary
Catcher Toby Hall said he should be ready to play by the end of next week after being placed on a deliberate program designed to stabilize the right shoulder he separated last March.
Guillen will take an extended look at Cole Armstrong, Paul Phillips and Donny Lucy as backups in case an injury occurs to Hall and starter A.J. Pierzynski, with Armstrong pleasing coaches with his defense.
Extra innings
Mark Buehrle pitched two scoreless innings and reported no soreness in his left arm. Buehrle said he could have pitched another inning but was held back by Guillen, who wants to preserve Buehrle’s arm for the regular season. … Pitching coach Don Cooper is expected to rejoin the team by Sunday after addressing a medical issue.
