Pillar, Moustakas cut; Grossman signed
GLENDALE, Ariz. — With spring training coming to an end in three days, the White Sox released outfielder Kevin Pillar and corner infielder Mike Moustakas and signed outfielder Robbie Grossman to a minor-league deal Friday.
Moustakas and Pillar, both 35, were believed to have good chances of winning bench spots on the Opening Day roster, Pillar in particular. Moustakas appeared in 19 games and made 46 plate appearances, batting .195/.283/.317 with one home run. Pillar batted .250/.306/.386 with six doubles in 18 games and 49 plate appearances.
Both came to camp on minor-league deals. If they had made the team, Moustakas would’ve been paid $2 million plus incentives and Pillar $3 million.
Gavin Sheets’ chances of making the team as a left-handed bench bat and backup first baseman and outfielder increase with these moves. Sheets is having a good spring (.296/.361/.537, three homers) after he struggled last season. Light-hitting Brett Phillips, who also bats left, is a possibility for the fourth outfielder spot.
Grossman, 34, a switch hitter, batted .238/.340/.394 in 420 plate appearances with the Rangers last season. He is a .244/.346/.379 hitter during his 11-year career with the Astros, Athletics, Twins, Tigers, Braves and Rangers.
He is a career .282/.381/.426 hitter against left-handers.
A free agent, Grossman has not been in any team’s camp this spring. The Sox have not determined his starting point but likely will assign him to where he can get the most work to prepare for a possible promotion.
Grossman was something of a catalyst for the Rangers’ offense for a stretch last season, and he played in seven postseason games, including Game 2 of the World Series.
Brebbia on target
Right-hander John Brebbia in the bullpen from the get-go would be a welcome development for a unit entering 2024 without an identified closer and, as manager Pedro Grifol said Thursday, some uncertainty about its constitution days before Opening Day.
Brebbia’s clean inning in relief Thursday against the Royals was a big step. After straining his right calf during a live batting-practice session early in camp, Brebbia was declaring himself ready to go, barring a setback.
“I want to get out there and be healthy, and I felt good throwing,” Brebbia said Thursday.
“I was working on pitches, the same usual spring-training routine leading up to the season. Execute what I can execute and incorporate what I’ve been working on. Unless I have a setback, it should be just fine.”
Brebbia was signed to a $4 million deal in the offseason with a $6 million mutual option for 2025 that includes a $1.5 million buyout. He missed more than two months with the Giants last season because of a lat strain and had a 3.99 ERA in 40 appearances after he appeared in a National League-high 76 games in 2022, when he had a 3.18 ERA.
Flex appeal
Likely No. 4 starter Chris Flexen said he threw 77 pitches Thursday in 4⅔ innings of one-run ball in a B game against the Guardians, primarily throwing his slider and changeup for strikes.
“I’m excited,’’ Flexen said. ‘‘Looking forward to competing with these guys. A lot of people have written us off. Ultimately, we want to get out there, stay healthy and compete.”
This and that
Eloy Jimenez returned to the lineup after missing a game with a bruised foot.
Infielder Braden Shewmake (sprained ankle) ran at full speed in baserunning drills as he pushes to be ready for Opening Day.
Righty Prelander Berroa was optioned to Triple-A Charlotte. The Sox have 43 players remaining in camp: 24 pitchers, three catchers, seven infielders and nine outfielders. ✶