Spring Training Report

By Mario Scalise - 3/10/03

This week in spring training, Danny Wright was shut down with inflammation in his elbow, Esteban Loaiza and Kelly Wunsch may have established their roles, and Aaron Miles has fought his way onto the radar.

Danny Wright Hurt
The Sox figured out exactly why Danny Wright was struggling this spring, giving up 10 runs in 3 1/3 innings, and it wasn't mechanical or mental, but physical. Wright has pitched with inflammation in his elbow and missed his last start. The Sox don't see it as anything serious and he should be throwing again as early as March 17, pending his progress.

Hustling Miles Making Noise
Second baseman Aaron Miles entered spring training with little chance to make the roster as a backup let alone as the starting second baseman. But thanks to his heart, solid glove and improving bat he is now in a battle with leading second base candidate D'Angelo Jimenez. Miles is second on the team in average among those with 10 or more games, with a .366 average in 13 games. Miles has five RBIs, a home run and seven runs scored. Jimenez is batting .273 with a homer, three RBIs and four runs scored.

Wunsch, Marte Staying Steady
The two Sox lefties, along with hard-throwing closer Billy Koch, have combined to throw 12 scoreless innings thus far this spring. Wunsch was given little security at the start by manager Jerry Manuel, who said Wunsch will be battling for the final bullpen spot with fellow lefty relievers Mike Porzio and Dave Sanders. Wunsch has given up just one hit in five innings, while Porzio has been hit for five runs in 3 1/3 innings, including loading the bases and giving up the game-winning run in Saturday's exhibition against the Cubs. Sanders didn't give up a single run or hit heading into Monday's game, but gave up two runs off four hits in an inning of work against the Colorado Rockies.

On the Ropes
Rick White, Gary Glover, and Tom Gordon still appear to have their bullpen jobs, but they haven't helped themselves much with their numbers. The three have combined to give up 16 runs in 13 innings.

Aaron Rowand Back in Action
Aaron Rowand took some swings in the batting cages on Sunday for the first time since Tuesday, when he received stitches on his hand after being hit with a pitch. It was just his first game and fourth at bat coming back from a shoulder injury he sustained in a November dirt bike accident. Talks of Borchard taking over at center are running high, but he's far from ready, evident by his inconsistent spring. Harris has shown flashes at center, but won't be playing center outside of a platoon situation.

Loaiza Takes Lead for Five-Spot
Esteban Loaiza has officially topped 6'11 right-hander Jon Rauch from the fifth and final spot in the rotation. The veteran Loaiza has started three games, going 1-1 with a 3.72 ERA in 9 2/3 innings. Rauch hasn't tailed off; however, compiling a 4.91 ERA in 7 1/3 innings. Gil Heredia and Josh Stewart are carrying the rear and may see their chances improve if Wright's elbow injury is worst than originally thought.

Colon, Garland Sharp in Four Starts
Both pitchers have a 1.29 ERA in seven innings pitched, while Colon has given up just two hits in his two starts. Lefty Mark Buehrle hasn't been too bad himself, posting 1.50 ERA in three games (two starts). He's thrown 12 innings, the last five coming in Monday's 7-4 win over the Rockies.

Six Players Reassigned
Pitchers Brian Cooper, Byeong Hak An, Neal Cotts, Wyatt Allen and Kris Honel, and catcher Jonathon Acevas were reassigned on Friday. The Sox now have 48 players left in camp.

Mario Scalise, 21, is currently attending Columbia College Chicago as a broadcast journalism major. Along with writing for FIC, Mario owns and operates a White Sox site, www.soxnet.net.