Jimenez’s cramping no biggie, Grifol says
PHOENIX — Removed from the White Sox’ Cactus League game against the Diamondbacks on Monday because of cramping in his right calf, outfielder Eloy Jimenez returned to work Tuesday at the team’s spring-training complex.
The slugger wasn’t scheduled to play against the Brewers on Tuesday but will play in one of the Sox’ split-squad games Wednesday against the Royals or Rangers.
“He’s fine,” manager Pedro Grifol said. “He was scheduled to be off [Tuesday]. He’ll play [Wednesday]. But it’s nothing.”
Jimenez ran Tuesday morning, went through exercises and “feels good,” Grifol added.
The previous day, he ran out a ground ball in the second inning and experienced cramping after he sat down on the bench. After the inning, he headed for the trainer’s room with trainer James Kruk.
“It wasn’t even running,” Grifol said. “He felt great all day. He was just sitting down, and it kind of cramped up a little bit or something, but it was just a non-issue.”
Utility man Leury Garcia also is expected to play again Wednesday after being sidelined with a sore left hand. Garcia hasn’t appeared in a game since March 14.
Giolito fans six
Right-hander Lucas Giolito allowed one hit — a two-run homer to the Brewers’ Mike Brosseau on a hanging changeup — but struck out six while walking two over 4⅓ innings in a 77-pitch outing Tuesday.
His velocity sat in the low 90s, but he adjusted on the fly and got swings and misses with his changeup, slider and curve and came away from his second-tolast spring start in a good frame of mind.
“[If ] I’m missing bats like I’m missing [them], I don’t care how hard I’m throwing,” Giolito said.
“I really like where my off-speed stuff is at: changeup, curveball, slider. I’m liking the swings that I’m getting, keeping guys off balance, utilizing — especially with the slider — using it to lefties and righties. It’s been a really good pitch for me.”
Anti-theft
Grifol has emphasized holding runners and defending the steal since Day 1 of camp and wasn’t pleased with the aggressive Diamondbacks stealing three bases in four attempts Monday.
“We’re addressing it,” Grifol said. “We’re trying to gain 90 feet on the offensive and limit 90 feet on the defensive side.”
Three of the bases were stolen with Yasmani Grandal catching. Prospect Adam Hackenberg threw out a runner. Grifol said Grandal and Seby Zavala are “throwing the ball really well.”
Much of it falls on the pitchers holding runners,” he said.
He added: “We have to field the position, and we have to control the running game. That’s just the way it is. We have to do those things if we want to be successful.”