Gio hopes third time’s the charm
Left-hander Gio Gonzalez finally will get a chance to pitch for the White Sox. Right?
Gonzalez was drafted by the Sox in 2004 before being traded to the Phillies in the Jim Thome deal in 2005. The Phillies traded Gonzalez back to the Sox in the Gavin Floyd deal in 2006, then the Sox dealt him to the Athletics in 2007.
Four seasons with the A’s, seven with the Nationals and one with the Brewers later, Gonzalez signed with the Sox as a free agent in the offseason to shore up the starting rotation.
This has got to be the year he pitches for the Sox.
‘‘It’s sad to say I did have that depression, like, ‘Am I ever going to get to wear this wonderful uniform in this city that drafted me and get to pitch finally an inning with them?’ ’’ Gonzalez said Tuesday.
Gonzalez shared those thoughts with executive vice president Ken Williams and pitching coach Don Cooper after a bullpen session.
‘‘I was telling them the last time I threw off this mound was in 2004,’’ Gonzalez said. ‘‘When you get drafted, you get to throw a live bullpen or you get to throw a bullpen for the team that drafted you. I had that little moment with Kenny and Coop . . . .
‘‘Now I’m an older gentleman with a little bit of mileage on my arm. I think it was worth the wait. I just want to throw at least one pitch in the White Sox’ uniform. At least one pitch.’’
Gonzalez was working through shoulder issues during spring training in February and March, so the time he spent with a physical therapist in Florida during the coronavirus shutdown was just what he needed. He threw two innings Tuesday and said his shoulder is in good shape.
‘‘From where I started to now, I feel like I’ve made a dramatic change,’’ he said. ‘‘I made progress to what I wanted to do.’’
Ready or not
Having three weeks to get ready for the regular season instead of six is what it is and will have to be enough, most players are saying. Live batting practice, simulated games, intrasquad games and three exhibitions right before the season opener will have to do.
‘‘We are going to have to roll with it,’’ first baseman Jose Abreu said through a translator. ‘‘It’s on us to keep our focus and work hard to try to be in the best shape possible when the season starts on the 24th. It’s on us.’’
The Sox open Friday, July 24, against the American League Central favorite Twins.
Finishing with the Cubs
Manager Rick Renteria enjoys the crosstown rivalry as much as anyone. On closing the regular season against the Cubs, he said: ‘‘Let’s all look forward to that. Let’s all be happy there’s a possibility of that. I know Chicago would like to see a crosstown World Series one day. Maybe this will be a little taste of it.’’
Renteria managed the Cubs in 2014.
No Moncada
Third baseman Yoan Moncada remained absent from camp. The Sox aren’t commenting, but speculation persists that he is one of their two players who tested positive for the coronavirus. The players are asymptomatic.