Carlos Rodon took the mound then took a seat. Took the mound then took a seat.
Four times the White Sox left-hander repeated this process during a simulated game Tuesday morning on a backfield at Camelback Ranch, part of a scaled-back spring training routine designed to give him life later in the season.
The awkwardness of it all — there were no fielders behind him and batters hardly swing — wasn’t lost on Rodon, who said he felt good throwing 64 pitches, including his slider for the first time this year.
“It’s a little different, but it’s nice,” Rodon said. “I just like facing the hitters again. It’ll be a little different when there’s guys on the field and there’s no turtle covering the hitter. I think we’re ready for that soon.”
The next step, Rodon surmised, could be pitching in a live game with real fielders and hitters more likely to swing at his pitches.
“I think we’re still trying to figure it out,” he said. “That’s my guess. Just a guess.”
One thing is for certain, Rodon will be a vital part of the White Sox’s starting rotation this season.
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