Ti ls on frustrated with lack of progress
PEORIA, Ariz.— The reality for Charlie Tilson is harsh.
And painful, in more ways than one.
Given the inside track on being the Opening Day center fielder for the White Sox, whom he grew up rooting for in north suburban Wilmette, Tilson is losing another battle to an injury, this one a stress reaction in his right foot that will land him on the disabled list when the season opens.
“It’s killing me,” Tilson said Tuesday.
He hoped time off his foot— he has done very little since it started giving him trouble, believed to be the result of rehabbing his left hamstring— would make things right. But there has been no progress, and now Tilson finds himself in a walking boot. He also has crutches.
“The frustrating part is there are very few ways to expedite that healing,” he said. “I thought the time off would help my leg to recover and give it some life as I started to run again.’’
A second MRI showed no stress fracture, which was good news. It supported the original diagnosis of a stress reaction. In that stage, the bone structure is becoming weaker but does not actually contain a fracture. All Tilson can do now is rest, and be patient.
Quintana returns
All- Star left- hander Jose Quintana returned from the World Baseball Classic in Miami, where he reeled off 5‰ hitless innings against Team USA for Colombia, which led 2- 0 when Quintana exited but eventually lost.
Manger Rick Renteria stopped short of naming Quintana his Opening Day starter, perhaps because he’s the subject of trade discussions.
“As we move forward, we’ll see where it ends up landing,’’ Renteria said. “You mentioned if he’s still here— I don’t think about those things. He’s here, and we’re happy to have him.’’
Renteria said Quintana’s performance in the WBC “put him on the map a little bit more because it’s a larger scale in terms of notoriety and the audience. He’s obviously an excellent pitcher. He’s a big- time pitcher. We’re happy that he’s with us.’’
Fulmer has work to do
Carson Fulmer gave up four runs and seven hits Monday against the Indians, and while Renteria said the 2015 No. 8 draft pick has improved his command, he also said he “has some work to do” and likely will begin the season at Class AAA Charlotte.
Fulmer pitched in relief when called up last season and allowed 11 runs ( all earned) in 11‰ innings. He has started three Cactus League games and allowed seven runs and 13 hits in 10‰ innings.
Countrymen
Quintana was back from the WBC, and Miguel Gonzalez ( Mexico) is due back Wednesday. Nate Jones and David Robertson
( USA), Brad Goldberg and Alex Katz ( Israel) and Gregory Infante ( Venezuela) are representing teams still in it.