Yasmani Grandal caught a bullpen session after which took some swings at a apply subject and within the batting cages Friday afternoon.
The catcher was the primary individual supervisor Pedro Grifol talked about whereas assembly with reporters at Camelback Ranch.
“He’s healthy,” Grifol mentioned. “He looked really good, really impressive.”
As exercises proceed for pitchers and catchers, listed here are three takeaways from Sox camp.
1. Kendall Graveman is ‘humbled’ by Team USA alternative.
Graveman by no means imagined he would have a chance just like the one awaiting him subsequent month with Team USA within the World Baseball Classic.
“It’s an honor,” the reliever mentioned Thursday morning. “I’m humbled truthfully by the thought they might point out me in the identical class with a few of these guys. It’s emotional to me to signify this nation and placed on that jersey.
“It’s going to be fun. I’m going to compete alongside some of those guys I’ve competed against.”
Graveman is one in all three Sox gamers on Team USA together with starter Lance Lynn and shortstop Tim Anderson.
“I told (manager Mark) DeRosa (Wednesday) night, ‘However you see me fitting in, let me know (and) I’ll be ready,’” Graveman mentioned.
Graveman turned emotional Thursday whereas discussing what the prospect to play for Team USA meant to him.
“I’ve never had the opportunity — a lot of guys in the locker room, across the league maybe in high school or college maybe played and represented their country,” he mentioned. “You obtained followers not solely rooting for you, not solely White Sox followers however the entire nation is rooting for one group. It’s arduous for me to place into phrases and I didn’t suppose I’d ever get the shot.
“I got this one, so I’m thankful.”
Graveman acquired a name in November and was requested if he could be keen to play.
“I cleared it with (general manager) Rick Hahn and (pitching coach Ethan) Katz to make sure they were OK with it because that’s my priority, the White Sox, that they were OK with my playing and once they said yes I called them back and said I’d be willing to play,” Graveman mentioned. “A couple of months later they called and said they would enjoy me being on the team.”
Pool C video games start March 11 in Phoenix.
2. Reliever Joe Kelly is pumped for a wholesome begin to spring.
Kelly described being wholesome at first of camp as “game-changing.”
“I haven’t been healthy for three seasons starting the year,” Kelly mentioned Thursday. “For me, to have the normal offseason so far, I feel more thrilled than anything because I’ve been throwing pens and the numbers I’m putting up in my pens from all the analytics stuff are kind of the same things I’d get at the beginning of a season.”
Grifol famous that Kelly “filled the strike zone with all his pitches” throughout a bullpen session Friday.
Kelly enters his second season with the Sox. He started 2022 on the injured listing recovering from a proper biceps nerve damage suffered the earlier season and went 1-3 with a 6.08 ERA in 43 appearances (one as an opener).
“I’ve really worked pretty hard this offseason,” he mentioned. “I got here right here 4-5 days every week the entire offseason, throwing bullpens within the lab. Just attempting to create from right here on out sport like situations for myself.
“It’s been a while since I’ve pitched in a real spring training game, so it’s going to be fun. It’s definitely something I’m excited for. I’m definitely pumped.”
3. Command is the point of interest in early bullpen periods.
Lynn, Davis Martin and reliever Reynaldo López have been among the many pitchers with bullpen periods Friday. Thursday’s listing included starters Dylan Cease and Lucas Giolito.
Grifol mentioned throughout this portion of camp, he’s on the lookout for command.
“It’s too early for these guys to be ramped up,” Grifol mentioned Thursday. “We’re simply on the lookout for guys to remain beneath management, command the baseball and do what they’re able to doing. We don’t wish to see an excessive amount of proper now, it’s so early.
“We’ve got time. We’re preparing for 162 (games) and beyond. Right now just work on the fundamentals and the fundamentals of those bullpens is commanding the strike zone and doing some other little things that they’re working on.”
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Source: www.bostonherald.com