Avi sits after not running out grounder
MARYVALE, Ariz. — White Sox right fielder Avisail Garcia was pulled by manager Rick Renteria during the first inning of a Cactus League game Wednesday for not hustling out a grounder.
Rules are rules, and Garcia said he understood the manager’s action.
Batting second against Brewers right- hander Jhoulys Chacin in the top of the first, Garcia was retired on a checkswing roller to first baseman Ryan Braun and then did not take his position in right in the bottom of the inning. Garcia said he accepted the consequences.
“One hundred percent,” Garcia said. “I always understand Ricky. I didn’t run, it’s my fault.’’
Renteria is a stickler for running out grounders, even in Cactus League games.
“I didn’t run. That’s why. That’s it,’’ Garcia said.
Garcia turned away from an inside pitch, and the ball went off his bat. He didn’t leave the box immediately, and when he did, it did not appear as though he was loafing, but he certainly wasn’t going full tilt.
“I didn’t see the ball,’’ he said. “And then I saw it and was surprised, and I was like ‘[ darn].’ That’s when I run.
“Everybody makes mistakes. You have to be honest with yourself. You can’t lie to yourself. I didn’t run, they take me out, that’s it.’’
Garcia said he wants to be recognized as a leader on a young team.
“Example, yes, 100 percent,’’ he said. “You have to take it as a positive. You don’t say ‘ Why did they take me out?’ No, no. Learn from it and that’s it.’’
Renteria pulled designated hitter Cody Asche from a game May 5 in Kansas City when Asche didn’t run on a dropped third strike.
Delmonico, Saladino on mend
Left fielder Nicky Delmonico hit off a tee and then iced his left shoulder. Renteria said that Delmonico told him the shoulder was “100 percent” after a scary collision with shortstop Tyler Saladino in the outfield Sunday. Renteria indicated Delmonico was close to returning to games.
“We’ll see how he actually feels [ Thursday],’’ Renteria said. “But he’s getting in a place where we’re getting very comfortable to put him back in the lineup.’’
Saladino ( concussion) said he was much improved. Saladino tested things going through cardio workouts Wednesday.
“I was really out of it there,’’ said Saladino, who finished the inning in the field. “Wasn’t sure what I was feeling . . . it’s a lot better today.”
In the framework of catching
Catcher Omar Narvaez says he’s working intently on pitch framing every day.
“If I can steal one strike, it makes a huge difference in the at- bat,” he said.
In bullpens, drills and games Narvaez is trying “to be more quiet with my body. It helps the umpire have a clear vision of the pitch.’’
Narvaez said the focus on framing wasn’t prompted by coaches. He did it on his own because its value became apparent to him last season.
“Especially right now, the strike zone is bigger now up and down, not side to side,’’ he said.
“I feel more comfortable and I feel like I’m getting more low pitches [ called for strikes].’’
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