WHITE SOX HEADLINES OF MARCH 3, 2017 “Coaches Capra, Hasler big part of White Sox rebuild” … Scott Merkin, MLB.com “Holland on debut: 'Good way to start '” … Scott Merkin, MLB.com “Jones relieved knee OK after comebacker” … Scott Merkin, MLB.com “White Sox back Holland early vs. Giants” … Chris Haft, MLB.com “White Sox Reliever Nate Jones Sore After Close Call But Doesn't Expect to Miss World Classic” … Dan Hayes, CSN Chicago “Healthy International Program Could Be Big Contributor in White Sox Rebuild” … Dan Hayes, CSN Chicago “Derek Holland Pitches Two Scoreless in First Action for White Sox” … Dan Hayes, CSN Chicago “White Sox's Nate Jones: Bruised knee won't keep me out of ” … Colleen Kane, “Thursday's recap: White Sox 8, Giants 6” … Colleen Kane, Chicago Tribune “White Sox Derek Holland ready to 'turn the page' on injury issues” … Colleen Kane, Chicago Tribune “White Sox's Jose Abreu: I was close to trainer accused of smuggling” … Curt Anderson, “White Sox's 'dinosaur' still roams spring training” … Paul Sullivan, Chicago Tribune “Nate Jones OK after scare… Daryl Van Schouwen, Chicago Sun-Times “Abreu says he was close to trainer accused of smuggling” … Daryl Van Schouwen, Chicago Sun-TImes “White Sox emphasizing new 2-strike approach” … Daryl Van Schouwen, Chicago Sun-Times “White Sox defeat Giants, 8-6” … Daryl Van Schouwen, Chicago Sun-Times “Will other MLB clubs' misfortune be White Sox gain?” … Scot Gregor, Daily Herald “White Sox slugger Jose Abreu 'had a lot of trust' in accused smuggler” … Associated Press “Former MLB pitcher Jack McDowell hired to D-II team” … Associated Press “ 2017 preview” … Lindsey Foltin, FOX Sports “Jose Abreu Set to Return to White Sox Spring Training After Testimony”… Associated Press “Derek Holland Has Scoreless Spring Debut For White Sox” … Bruce Levine, CBS Chicago

Coaches Capra, Hasler big part of White Sox rebuild By Scott Merkin / MLB.com | March 2, 2017

SCOTTSDALLE, Ariz. -- There will be times during the 2017 season when White Sox third-base coach will have to answer for sends he made that didn't quite work out.

It's the nature of the beast for the job Capra holds, a position he hasn't executed on a regular basis since managing Kannapolis to a 74-59 record in 2005. But those questions certainly won't alter the aggressive style of baserunning Capra intends to push as laid out by .

"We'll obviously play the score, but we are going to be aggressive on the bases as we can be," Capra said. "Take a chance here or there. It's going to be our philosophy: our mentality is be aggressive on the bases."

Many people point to the trades of and and the impressive ensuing prospect return as the beginning of the White Sox current rebuild. In reality, an earlier hint was being given toward a move in that direction during the final month of the 2016 season when Capra and Curt Hasler joined the Major League team.

Capra served as director of player development from 2012-16, while Hasler, now the bullpen coach, worked from 2011-16 as the Minor League pitching coordinator. Both have been with the organization for more than 20 years (Hasler 26, Capra 22) and fit the qualities Renteria was looking for in assembling his staff.

"You are talking about two very experienced, very well-qualified people," Renteria said. "Both having experience with all the players within the system, both again having an extensive background in player development and just being in the game.

"It bodes well for us. This spring has been really going well. Our connection is good. Obviously they were both with us last year. So everything expected is actually playing out."

With MLBPipeline.com in the process of revealing their top Minor League systems, the White Sox are guaranteed to be in the Top 3. Capra oversaw the system the last two years when the team began to develop its critical mass and core, as general manager Rick Hahn previously described. Now that job belongs to Chris Getz, who has the perfect blend of knowledge, enthusiasm and passion for what he's doing per Capra.

Meanwhile Capra is happy to have this new challenge. He's running Spring Training camp for a second straight year, while also assisting bench coach Joe McEwing with the and preaching that forceful baserunning style.

"Everybody should be a good baserunner, even the guys who aren't speed-burners," Capra said. "They should be able to do the little things, get good leads, get good secondaries. Hopefully read balls in the dirt at first base, advance on balls in the dirt from first to second.

"Get a good secondary lead on a base to the . Just kind of little things that we needed to work on to continue to do."

Holland on debut: 'Good way to start Spring Training' By Scott Merkin / MLB.com | March 2, 2017

SCOTTSDALLE, Ariz. -- Derek Holland admitted to having a high level of excitement prior to his White Sox debut Thursday during an 8-6 Cactus League victory over the Giants at Scottsdale Stadium.

"First time out, wearing a different uniform, butterflies going because you want to get out there," said the southpaw after throwing 19 of his 40 pitches for strikes over two scoreless innings. "I felt like I got my pregame routine done in, like, 30 seconds I was so excited to be out there.

"But these guys have done a good job keeping me comfortable, keeping me grounded. It's good to get the first one out of the way."

Holland, 30, came to the White Sox via a one-year, $6 million free-agent deal after battling through left shoulder issues in 2015 and missing time recovering from offseason left knee surgery in 2014. The veteran bounced back to make 20 starts for Texas in '16, despite missing two months due to shoulder inflammation, and feels good through his White Sox opening.

After a scoreless first Thursday, Holland worked on the with Omar Narvaez in the second. He eventually pitched out of a bases-loaded, two-out jam by retiring on a popup.

"The biggest disappointment from this whole thing was the walks to left-handed hitters. That's a strength of mine and I kind of let those get away from me. But it's the first game," Holland said. "We've still got more things we want to work on.

"I saw a little bit of some rushing but that's the first time out there, first time seeing some real hitters at game speed. It's definitely good to get things started. It's a good way to start Spring Training." Abreu to return Friday

Jose Abreu should be back in camp Friday after missing two days to testify in Miami as part of a trial against Julio Estrada, his former trainer and friend, and sports agent Bartolo Hernandez, who are charged with conspiracy and alien smuggling. White Sox manager Rick Renteria expects Abreu to be in Friday night's starting lineup in Peoria.

Lawrie still in holding pattern Brett Lawrie remained out of action with general muscular discomfort continuing in his left leg.

"He's still getting work done," Renteria said. "I'll just tell you it's day to day until we decide to figure out where's he at in terms of being able to get on the field and active.

"I'm not too concerned about it, to be honest. It's a situation where we do have coverage."

Tyler Saladino, Yolmer Sanchez and Leury Garcia can capably handle second for the White Sox. , the No. 2 prospect in baseball per MLBPipeline.com, is considered the team's second baseman of the future.

Third to first • Carlos Rodon, who played catch Thursday, will throw his first bullpen Friday.

• Jose Quintana and Miguel Gonzalez are scheduled to work simulated games Friday.

Jones relieved knee OK after comebacker White Sox reliever still planning on World Baseball Classic participation By Scott Merkin / MLB.com | March 2, 2017

SCOTTSDALE, Ariz. -- If there is a best-case scenario for a pitcher getting hit with a ground ball back to the mound, then White Sox right-hander Nate Jones experienced it Wednesday.

Jones retired the first two Arizona hitters faced in the seventh of a 3-2 White Sox victory before Ildemaro Vargas hit a one-hopper off Jones' right knee. The reaction by Jones made it look worse than it actually was as he hobbled off the mound.

"It got me right in the best-case scenario right where the nerve and the hamstring connect down there," Jones said Thursday in the White Sox clubhouse. "It got me right on that nerve.

"Just went down, got that buzz and lost the feeling and went down. Once you start messing with the foundation like your ankles, your feet, your knee, your leg, it was a scary situation at the beginning for me. I didn't know what I was dealing with. I was trying to hobble off to an expert."

White Sox assistant athletic trainer Brian Ball and -A Charlotte head athletic trainer Scott Johnson immediately helped Jones. A stability test was done on the knee, and everything was deemed good for Jones.

"They could see right away it was kind of swelled up," Jones said. "We've seen guys blow out their knee before, so to walk off was encouraging."

The plan was for Jones to relax and take things easy Thursday and then return everything to normal Friday. He will be pitching for Team USA as part of the World Baseball Classic, leaving Monday with David Robertson for a workout, a couple of exhibition games and then competition.

This right knee mishap won't keep Jones out of his highly anticipated participation.

"Definitely trying not to let it do that, that's for sure," Jones said Thursday. "I think tomorrow should be able to go full-go hopefully as long as it's all good. That one was scary. Been hit in the shin and the glute but in the knee like that was the scariest."

"Scary for him and for everybody," said White Sox manager Rick Renteria of Jones. "You never want to see anybody go down, especially after a ball that's struck. He hit it pretty good. It just caught him in the right spot and gave him a little zinger."

White Sox back Holland early vs. Giants By Chris Haft / MLB.com | March 2, 2017

SCOTTSDALE, Ariz. -- Danny Hayes' three- fueled a four-run first inning Thursday for the Chicago White Sox, who hung on to defeat the , 8-6, in a Cactus League exhibition.

Though all the runs in Chicago's first-inning outburst against Giants starter Matt Moore were earned, a pair of errors by Minor League Steven Duggar abetted the scoring.

Duggar bobbled ex-Giant Melky Cabrera's ground-ball single that drove in Chicago's first run. That enabled Cabrera and to advance an extra base. One out later, Rymer Liriano walked to load the bases, setting up Hayes' bases- clearing hit. Duggar also mishandled that ball, and though Hayes received credit for three RBIs, the fumble guaranteed that Liriano would cross the plate. In all, San Francisco was charged with six fielding errors.

However, Giants manager cited a factor that annoyed him more than the errors. "We were 2-for-13 [actually, 2-for-15] with runners in scoring position. That was the difference," Bochy said.

The Giants rallied after White Sox starter Derek Holland worked two scoreless innings. Duggar atoned for his defensive lapses by contributing an RBI single to a two-run fourth inning. C.J. Hinojosa's two-run double and a run-scoring error generated the Giants' three-run sixth inning. That wasn't enough for San Francisco, as Anderson's two-run, fifth-inning homer and Yoan Moncada's sixth-inning RBI single cushioned Chicago's advantage.

White Sox Up Next: , a Rule 5 addition for the White Sox, gets the start Friday night as the White Sox travel to Peoria to take on San Diego with a 7:40 CT first pitch. Tyler Danish, Michael Ynoa and Spencer Adams also are expected to throw, and Jose Abreu is expected to be back in the lineup.

Giants Up Next: On Friday at 12:05 p.m. PT, is scheduled to make his second appearance against Oakland in as many Cactus League starts. In one inning Monday, Samardzija surrendered two runs and three hits, including Matt Joyce's . Chris Stratton, a contender for the fifth starter's vacancy, also is expected to pitch. Watch every out-of-market regular-season game live on MLB.TV.

White Sox Reliever Nate Jones Sore After Close Call But Doesn't Expect to Miss World Baseball Classic By Dan Hayes / CSN Chicago | March 2, 2017

GLENDALE, Ariz. — He's sore on Thursday after taking a comebacker off his knee a day earlier, but Nate Jones is encouraged after walking off the field without any assistance.

The White Sox reliever is temporarily out of action after Wednesday's scare, when he took a one-hopper off his right knee. Even so, Jones — who went 5-3 with three saves, a 2.11 ERA and 80 in 70 2/3 innings last season — said he doesn't expect to miss the World Baseball Classic. He and closer David Robertson are headed for Miami on Monday to join workouts for Team USA, which plays its first game on March 10. Jose Quintana (Colombia), Miguel Gonzalez (Mexico) and Giovanni Soto (Puerto Rico) are also participating in the WBC.

"A little sore this morning, but the stability is good so it's all good," Jones said. "Just be sore for a couple days. Take it easy today, get after it tomorrow.

"Once you mess with your foundation, your knees and legs and feet, it's a little scary for sure. It got me right on the nerve, so went down pretty quick."

Jones said the club planned to be cautious with him on Thursday but believes he'd be able to participate on Friday. He recorded two outs in the seventh inning on Wednesday but immediately limped off the field after he was struck with the one-hopper off the bat of Arizona's Ildemaro Vargas. Jones' leg bore a huge red mark and bruising on the right side of his right leg just below his knee cap. He said the hamstring connects where he was hit, which could lead to soreness there, too.

Still, after the closest call of his career, Jones feels fortunate.

"It got me right on that nerve, got some feeling back but it was sore and tight walking off," Jones said. "We've seen guys blow out their knee before, so to walk off was encouraging."

Healthy International Program Could Be Big Contributor in White Sox Rebuild By Dan Hayes / CSN Chicago | March 2, 2017

GLENDALE, Ariz. — The White Sox reportedly have strong interest in 19-year-old Cuban and are perhaps even poised to sign a player who produced a 1.213 OPS last season.

That the organization has reached a point where it would make a significant investment in an extremely talented international prospect is yet another signal about the strength of its Latin American program. Headed by Marco Paddy, the White Sox have endured a transformation from the days of the Dave Wilder scandal to having a minimal presence in Latin America to once again becoming a player on the international market.

General manager Rick Hahn said much of the credit for the shift belongs to Paddy, a highly-respected, well-connected evaluator with an eye for talent who's in his sixth season with the team. Paddy has not only helped refurbish the team's once-tarnished reputation, but he also has provided ownership with a renewed sense of confidence. Such assurance could be critical for the White Sox to make another big international signing when Robert becomes eligible for free agency either in June or July.

"It wasn't just a matter of us going out and getting somebody and putting him in place internationally," Hahn said. "It was a matter of going out and getting someone we felt was among the best in the game and would bring his expertise and his network to our organization and help essentially re-establish ourselves from zero, which is where we were before he joined us."

"We were not in a great spot before he joined us internationally. He carries a lot of weight down there and gets us access to the right guys and is an excellent evaluator of talent."

As a result of Wilder's dismissal in May 2008, the White Sox had limited credibility in the international community when they hired Paddy away from the on Nov. 30, 2011. The involvement of Wilder and two scouts in a skimming scandal resulted in a two-month investigation by and a two-year sentence on federal charges for the team's former player development director in 2013.

The team's international investments dried up almost immediately. The club's largest signing in the 3 1/2-year gap between Wilder's firing and Paddy's hire was a $125,000 bonus for left-handed pitcher Jefferson Olacio in 2010. Beyond him, most signings were of players valued in the $10-to-30,000 range.

The team had such a minimal scouting infrastructure that trainers rarely brought their top players to showcases because they didn't believe the White Sox were worth it.

"They had at best a token presence in Latin American up until Marco Paddy took over," 's Ben Badler said. "They just weren't finding any talent in any of those years.

"He was a very important addition for them. They were pretty much a non-factor and the trainers who have players throughout Latin American (knew) the White Sox were not going to spend money down there — ‘Why should we bother bringing them to the White Sox?'"

Paddy's hiring as Hahn's special assistant in charge of international operations gave the White Sox instant access to players previously unattainable. His resume includes five seasons as Toronto's Director of Latin America Operations (2007-11) and 14 with the , including the final three as their international director.

He also has earned a reputation for finding major league talent. Paddy signed Toronto closer Roberto Osuna as well as pitcher Henderson Alvarez, shortstop Adeiny Hechavarria, both of whom were included in the trade for . The Blue Jays traded outfielder Wuilmer Becerra to acquire R.A. Dickey from the and catcher Carlos Perez to the for J.A. Happ. Both were signed by Paddy.

Within two weeks of his hire by the White Sox, Paddy signed right-handed pitcher Luis Martinez — who last season struck out 141 batters in 137 innings with a 3.81 ERA at Single-A Kannapolis — to a $250,000 bonus. But Paddy had plenty of work ahead to get the White Sox into position of overall respectability.

"It's safe to say it was more just standing still," Paddy said. "It was just there, just stagnant and not a lot movement. It was kind of waiting for someone to take over and lead the way. It was still functioning, but it needed someone to take the reigns and say ‘Ok, we're going to go in this direction.'"

Paddy's improvements include the hire of four scouts, including three full-timers in Venezuela. He also recommended an overhaul of the team's Dominican Republic academy in Boca Chica, which was close to dilapidated.

"It was really rundown, beat down," said amateur scouting director Nick Hostetler. "It was rough."

Among the items the White Sox added: an additional batting cage, air conditioning units, a computer lab and outdoor agility courses. They also upgrade the players' rooms and kitchen in a total refurbishing of the dorms. But beyond the improved infrastructure, the rest has been up to Paddy and his network of connections.

"Baseball is an industry where everybody knows everybody," he said. "What helped me was the reputation I have in the industry, especially internationally, the relationships I'd built during the time I was with Atlanta and then Toronto. It made it a lot easier for the White Sox to get more attention from (trainers)."

Paddy said the investment from ownership was the final piece to the program and it has steadily increased with time and trust. An ex-Braves farmhand, Paddy, 52, was instrumental in the team's pursuit and October 2013 signing of Jose Abreu, who was acquired for $68 million. Paddy suggested the White Sox sign the Cuban slugger and executive vice president Kenny Williams recommended it to White Sox chairman Jerry Reinsdorf after he attended a workout. Abreu's success after signing a franchise-record deal has only given the White Sox more confidence in Paddy.

The Abreu deal occurred four months after the team made its biggest international splash under Paddy, signing outfielder Micker Adolfo for a $1.6 million bonus.

While hasn't yet exceeded his signing bonus pool with the White Sox, Paddy has continued to sign high-profile international teenagers. Franklin Reyes received $1.5 million in July 2015, a year after infielders Amado Nunez and Ricky Mota received $900,000 and $750,000, respectively. Catcher Jhoandro Alfaro also signed in July 2014 for $700,000.

Fernando Tatis Jr. — who was traded to San Diego last summer — signed for $700,000 in July 2015.

Last July, the White Sox signed three ranked among Baseball America's top-50 international prospects: Josue Guerrero (33rd overall), Luis Mieses (36) and Anderson Comas (37). Guerrero received $1.1 million, Mieses got $428,000 and Comas earned $450,000. The team also signed righty pitcher Henderson Caraballo for $350,000 and shortstop Lenyn Sosa for $325,000.

"They're definitely in a better position than they were previously," Badler said.

Hostetler and Williams raved about the sheer quantity of talented players who had begun to trickle into the system after the team held its instructional camp from mid-September through October. Those players had previously been absent after the club's three-year hiatus from adding international talent and hurt the depth of the club's farm system.

Though none of Paddy's 15-to-16-year old signees have yet reached the majors, the White Sox expected a five-to-six- year process at the minimum.

"He's starting to influx the system with really good, high ceiling, athletic, middle of the diamond-type guys as well as some power guys," Hostetler said. "My guess is we're looking at the next 18 months, these guys are going to start surfacing and flying up boards and (prospect) rankings."

While Adolfo was the biggest name at the time and Tatis' stock has risen to where he'd potentially be the first overall pick this summer were he available in the amateur draft, Robert could be the biggest of the bunch. Were MLB to be make Robert available before June 15, teams could bid for his services under the old Collective Bargaining Agreement. There's no telling where the bidding could go for the lean, 6-foot-3 outfielder who last season hit .401/.526/.687 in 232 plate appearances in Cuba's Serie Nacional.

Two years ago, Boston signed current White Sox prospect Yoan Moncada for $31.5 million. By exceeding its bonus pool, the Red Sox had to pay an additional $31.5 million tax.

Though Baseball America reported that the White Sox are one of the most talked about teams as a landing spot for Robert, those talks could be premature as several key officials have yet to see him in person.

If Robert doesn't get cleared in time by MLB, he'll be added to the July 2 class and subject to a new set of rules under the recently signed CBA. Under the new system, teams' bonus pools max out near $5 million with most having about $4.75 million to spend. Several big spending teams already can't sign players during the upcoming period because they previously exceeded their max in 2015-16. Baseball America said the White Sox "would have more room than most in their bonus pool" starting July 2.

Whereas the previous CBA only taxed teams, the new one has harsher penalties, including the loss of draft picks and the inability to sign future prospects.

"This (new) system now is more about history, it's about knowing the player, who's willing to invest your entire pool, portions of it, whatever," Paddy said. "If you have history, and we've been fortunate to have history because we do our due diligence, then now you're more prepared to make an investment that may involve the entire amount you have for your signing pool."

Their confidence in Paddy and his staff and the leveled playing field have the White Sox liking their chances under the new CBA. When a similar change took place with signing bonuses in baseball's amateur draft in 2012, the White Sox became far bigger spenders on amateur talent. Since then, the White Sox have spent their entire bonus pool amount each time and even exceeded it to sign first-rounder Carlos Rodon in 2014. With an emphasis on adding young, homegrown talent, the rebuilding White Sox plan to do more of the same in the future.

"Now that there's a little firmer cap internationally it does tend to make it a little bit more perhaps old school and that's a competition among player evaluators — through player evaluation and economic muscle," Hahn said.

"We've got the utmost faith in Marco and his staff.

"With Marco's reputation and the work he has put in, and the network he has assembled down there, I feel like we have access to all the finest talent and good of a chance as anybody to sign them."

Derek Holland Pitches Two Scoreless Innings in First Action for White Sox By Dan Hayes / CSN Chicago | March 2, 2017

SCOTTSDALE, Ariz. — Derek Holland's first effort for the White Sox was pretty solid despite a pair of walks.

Holland had only pitched for one other team in his previous eight seasons before he started for the White Sox in Thursday's 8-6 victory over the San Francisco Giants at Scottsdale Stadium. The former pitcher said he was overly excited before he headed to the bullpen to prepare for the outing. But Holland managed to pitch two scoreless innings with two hits allowed in spite of the additional energy.

"First time out, wearing a different uniform, butterflies going because you want to get out there," Holland said. "I felt like I got my pregame routine done in, like, 30 seconds I was so excited to be out there. But these guys have done a good job keeping me comfortable, keeping me grounded. It's good to get the first one out of the way."

Holland didn't think command was too much of a problem, though he did walk fellow left-handers Brandon Belt and Steven Duggar. Despite the free passes, Holland pitched out of a bases-loaded jam in the second inning. Holland is very pleased with his early work with and has an idea what he'd like to work on next.

"I saw a little bit of some rushing, but that's the first time out there, first time seeing some real hitters at game speed," Holland said. "It's definitely good to get things started. It's a good way to start spring training."

Tim Anderson homered and singled in three trips to the plate and finished with two RBIs. First baseman Danny Hayes also doubled in three runs as the White Sox took an early four-run lead.

Rookie Yoan Moncada singled in a run, his first hit of the spring in nine at-bats. Moncada has also drawn four walks. Peter Bourjos had two hits and scored two runs while Melky Cabrera and Cody Asche each had an RBI.

Carson Fulmer was hurt by his defense, which led to a two-run rally. He allowed a pair of runs and three hits in 1 2/3 innings.

The two teams combined to make 10 errors.

First baseman Jose Abreu is expected to return to the White Sox lineup when they play at Peoria, Ariz. against the on Friday night. Abreu has spent the past two days testifying in federal court at the fraud trial of his former agent and trainer.

The White Sox will also have Jose Quintana and Miguel Gonzalez pitch in simulated games on Friday morning at the team complex. Starter Carlos Rodon is also expected to participate in his first bullpen session of the spring.

White Sox's Nate Jones: Bruised knee won't keep me out of World Baseball Classic By Colleen Kane / Chicago Tribune | March 2, 2017

White Sox reliever Nate Jones sported a baseball-size red welt on the side of his right knee Thursday morning, the result of being hit with a comebacker in a spring training game a day earlier.

Jones was able to walk off the field Wednesday after the one-hopper hit him, and he was diagnosed with a bruised knee. He said he’s likely to be sore for a couple of days but otherwise thinks the injury won’t slow him too much.

"Once you mess with your foundation, your knees and legs and feet, it’s a little scary for sure," Jones said. "It got me right on the nerve, so I went down pretty quick.

"We’ve seen guys blow out their knee before, so to walk off was encouraging."

Jones is scheduled to leave Monday to pitch for Team USA in the World Baseball Classic. The team is slated to play a couple of exhibition games before opening the tournament against Colombia on March 10 in Miami.

Jones said he doesn’t think he will have to alter his participation in the event because of the bruise.

"We’ll just be cautious today, and (Friday) I should be able to go full go," Jones said.

Jones has pitched 1 2/3 scoreless innings this spring, allowing a hit and two walks.

He is one of several key Sox players dealing with injuries this spring. (left oblique), second baseman Brett Lawrie (left leg) and outfielder Charlie Tilson (right foot) have not yet played in a Cactus League game.

Thursday's recap: White Sox 8, Giants 6 By Colleen Kane / Chicago Tribune | March 2, 2017

Danny Hayes hit a three-run double off Giants lefty Matt Moore in an 8-6 White Sox victory Thursday at Scottsdale Stadium. Melky Cabrera also drove in a run in the Sox's four-run first.

At the plate: Tim Anderson hit his first homer of the spring, a two-run, opposite-field shot in the fifth off right-hander Cory Gearrin.

On the mound: In his second Cactus League appearance, allowed two earned runs on three hits with four strikeouts in 1 2/3 innings.

In the field: The Giants committed six errors and the Sox had four — throwing errors by Derek Holland and Yolmer Sanchez and fielding errors by Matt Davidson and Yoan Moncada.

Key number: 2 — Hits and runs scored by center fielder Peter Bourjos.

The quote: "The biggest disappointment from this whole thing was the walks to left-handed hitters. That's a strength of mine, and I kind of let those get away from me. But it's the first game." — Holland, who pitched two scoreless innings.

Up next: at Padres, 7:40 p.m. Friday at Peoria Sports Complex. RH Dylan Covey vs. RH Luis Perdomo.

White Sox pitcher Derek Holland ready to 'turn the page' on injury issues By Colleen Kane / Chicago Tribune | March 2, 2017

Derek Holland has pitched in dozens of Cactus League games, but the 30-year-old left-hander said he still felt “butterflies” as he went out for his first as a White Sox starter Thursday.

“I felt like I got my pregame routine done in, like, 30 seconds, I was so excited to be out there,” Holland said. “But these guys have done a good job keeping me comfortable, keeping me grounded.”

Holland signed a one-year, $6 million deal with the Sox in December, and he’s trying to put together his first fully healthy season since 2013, when he made 33 starts and pitched 213 innings. Since then, he has battled knee and shoulder problems, topping out at 107 1/3 innings in 22 appearances last year with the Rangers.

“I’m past it,” Holland said of the injuries. “I always turn the page on that. You’ve got to worry about the present and not the past. Overall I feel really strong, very good. I was telling (pitching coach Don Cooper) it feels really good over here.”

Holland pitched two scoreless innings against the Giants, working out of a bases-loaded jam in the second by getting Jimmy Rollins to pop out. He said he was most disappointed with his two walks to lefty hitters.

“I don’t feel like there was really bad command, it was more the rushing,” Holland said. “If I slow that down, which that’s what we need to work on, I feel very confident with what we’ve got.”

White Sox's Jose Abreu: I was close to trainer accused of smuggling By Curt Anderson / Associated Press | March 2, 2017

White Sox star Jose Abreu testified Thursday that he had an extremely close relationship with a baseball trainer on trial along with a sports agent for allegedly smuggling Cuban ballplayers off the island.

Abreu acknowledged giving trainer Julio Estrada $25,000 a month last summer after Estrada's assets were frozen by the government following his indictment in the smuggling case — $10,000 more than Estrada had requested. He did so, Abreu testified, "because of the high esteem I have for him."

Abreu also paid Estrada's wife an undisclosed amount to help decorate the player's South Florida home, even though she has no professional experience doing that work. He bought a separate $500,000 house in the Florida Keys for Estrada to live in rent-free, and Estrada was best man at Abreu's wedding.

"These were people who had helped me a lot in getting into this country, so I had a lot of trust in them," Abreu told a jury.

Estrada and sports agent Bartolo Hernandez are charged with conspiracy and alien smuggling for allegedly overseeing a network that brought Abreu and other ballplayers out of Cuba by boat to third countries, such as Mexico and Haiti, where they could establish residency and seek lucrative free-agent contracts with Major League Baseball teams.

In return, Estrada and Hernandez got a percentage of those player contracts. In Abreu's case, Estrada's Total Baseball company was to be paid 20 percent of his $68 million White Sox contract, with Hernandez and two partners getting 5 percent.

Abreu testified that he has kept his end of the bargain, paying Estrada's firm more than $7 million since he signed the White Sox deal in 2013. He still owes about $5 million but is not sure if he will pay Estrada any more, especially considering the trainer is facing significant prison time if convicted.

"Things have changed," Abreu testified. "They are different now."

Abreu, who was Rookie of the Year in 2014, also said he now thinks the terms he agreed to with Estrada were unfair to him.

"Do you feel like you were taken advantage of by Julio's company?" asked Estrada attorney Sabrina Puglisi.

"Yes," Abreu replied.

Abreu testified Wednesday he used a fake Haitian passport to fly to Miami in October 2013, eating part of the document while in the air to cover it up. As a Cuban, he was permitted to remain in the U.S. under immigration rules at the time, despite having no visa or other valid travel papers.

Neither Estrada nor Hernandez had advance knowledge of his clandestine trip, Abreu testified.

"Would you say Julio always urged you to do things the right way?" Puglisi asked.

"Yes," the player responded.

After coming to the U.S., Abreu said he sought to get several family members out of Cuba. He enlisted the help of Amin Latouff, described as a part of the smuggling network in Haiti who could get fake documents and provide other services necessary for the players' relocation. He paid Latouff $115,000 for the service, with some of the money delivered in cash by human "mules" who traveled to Haiti from Miami, Abreu said.

"I would bring my family to the United States no matter at what cost," he testified.

Latouff was indicted in the U.S. smuggling case but has remained at large.

Abreu finished his second day of testimony Thursday morning and was free to return to White Sox spring training in Arizona. The prosecution part of the case is nearing an end after about a month, to be followed by testimony from defense witnesses. It's not clear if either Hernandez or Estrada will testify.

White Sox's 'dinosaur' still roams spring training By Paul Sullivan / Chicago Tribune | March 2, 2017

Spring training has been going smoothly for the White Sox so far, with no real controversies and only one bizarre story worth mentioning.

Unfortunately we'll have to wait until Friday, when Jose Abreu is expected back from testifying at his agent's trial in Miami, to find out what a fake passport tastes like.

"I have not," Renteria said. "So I just know he's not here right now and I'm waiting for him to come back."

Meanwhile, we've yet to see the likes of Carlos Rodon, Todd Frazier, Brett Lawrie or Charlie Tilson in Cactus League action, so we're waiting on them as well. Derek Holland made his Sox debut Thursday in an 8-5 win over the Giants, throwing two scoreless innings and "feeling very good."

For some of us, the annual highlight of Sox camp, dating back to the days they trained in Sarasota, Fla., is the arrival of former player and longtime bullpen coach Art "Cave" Kusnyer, who is now listed as special assistant to the major-league staff.

Kusnyer, 71, has been in baseball for more than five decades and never grown tired of watching the game, despite the best efforts by MLB honchos to change it to appeal to the iPad generation.

"I just love baseball," he said. "Come out here and see these young kids, and so many of them that I've seen come and go. A lot of these coaches I've had as kids — (Richard) Dotson, , (Harold) Baines and . Just being around baseball, that's the thing."

Spring training can be taken for granted once the exhibition games start and it becomes a grind just to get to . That's why it's easy to appreciate an old-school guy like Kusnyer, whose enthusiasm rubs off on everyone from rookies to coaches to the media.

Kusnyer was selected by the Sox in the 37th round of the 1966 draft and had a brief playing career before turning to coaching. During the era on the South Side, when he served as bullpen coach under manager , Veeck had Kusnyer store in a freezer located in a dark and dingy room in the bowels of old .

"That's why they call him 'the Cave,'" Kenny Lofton once explained.

The game has gone through many changes since Kusyner started out, and he acknowledged players are bigger and stronger than ever.

"They throw hard," he said. "Guys back then threw hard too, but they didn't make a big deal of it. The game is still great, even if they're trying to mess it up.

"You can't slide (hard). You can't block the plate. Now they're taking away the intentional walk? What, to speed the game up by eight seconds? Yeah, it saves time until there is a replay."

Kusnyer was told baseball is trying to appeal to kids whose attention spans wane during long games, and that even players sometimes get bored with those.

"As (former player) Ken Silvestri used to say, 'Tell them to go sell mattresses,'" Kusnyer said.

While we were talking in the dugout at Scottsdale Stadium on Thursday, a Sox player walked up and grabbed Kusnyer in a most uncomfortable spot, just to keep things light. It was a spring training moment that will be hard to un-see.

Kusnyer's mantra to players during the years was "Stop digging yourself," and it still holds true. Managers Ozzie Guillen and always wanted Kusnyer around the players because he was a wise guy's wise guy and kept everyone smiling.

Now his duties are, well, whatever Kusnyer wants to do.

"They always give me a name in the media guide — special assistant to the big-league staff or mental-health coach," he said. "It's just a title. I don't really do anything.

"I'm just a dinosaur. My footprints, they're going to put plaster in them and put it on the wall and it'll say, 'This is what an old dinosaur baseball player looks like.'"

Those dinosaurs are all but extinct now, but fortunately the Cave lives on.

Nate Jones OK after scare By Daryl Van Schouwen / Chicago Sun-Times | March 2, 2017

GLENDALE, Ariz. — Right-hander Nate Jones said he was sore but OK a day after taking a comebacker to the mound off the side of his knee.

Jones had a sizable red mark on his right leg but a smile on his face.

“A little sore this morning but the stability is good so it’s all good,” Jones said Thursday morning. “Just be sore for a couple days. Take it easy today, get after it tomorrow.”

Jones leaves for Miami on Monday for the World Baseball Classic. He did not think the leg would be an issue.

“No, I don’t think so,” he said. “We’ll just be cautious today; tomorrow should be able to go full go.”

Jones went down on all fours after Ildemaro Vargas’ smash hit him on the first bounce. He got up and immediately hobbled to the dugout.

“That one was scary,” Jones said. “Been hit in shin and glute but in the knee like that was the scariest.

“Once you mess with your foundation, your knees and legs and feet, it’s a little scary for sure. It got me right on the nerve so went down pretty quick.

“They said the hamstring connects there so that might be sore, too.”

Jones (5-3, 2.29 ERA) made a career-high 71 appearances last season and tied for the American League with 28 holds, allowing 16.7 percent of inherited runners to score.

Prospect watch Baseball Prospectus’ will rank the White Sox farm system sixth in its latest rankings Friday. Baseball America has the Sox at fifth and MLBpipeline third. Before the Sox’ offseason trades of Chris Sale and Adam Eaton, the Sox were ranked overall in the bottom third.

Abreu says he was close to trainer accused of smuggling By Daryl Van Schouwen / Chicago Sun-Times | March 2, 2017

SCOTTSDALE, Ariz. — White Sox slugger Jose Abreu testified Thursday in Miami that he had an extremely close relationship with a Florida baseball trainer on trial with a sports agent for allegedly smuggling Cuban ballplayers off the island.

Abreu acknowledged giving trainer Julio Estrada $25,000 a month last summer — $10,000 more than he requested — after Estrada’s assets were frozen by the government in the wake of his indictment in the smuggling case. He did so, Abreu testified, ‘‘because of the high esteem I have for him.’’

Abreu, who isn’t accused of wrongdoing, also paid Estrada’s wife an undisclosed amount to help decorate his home in South Florida. He bought a separate $500,000 home in the Florida Keys for Estrada to live in rent-free, and Estrada was the best man at Abreu’s wedding.

‘‘These were people who had helped me a lot in getting into this country, so I had a lot of trust in them,’’ Abreu told a jury.

Estrada and agent Bartolo Hernandez are charged with conspiracy and alien smuggling for allegedly overseeing a network that brought Abreu and other ballplayers out of Cuba by boat to third countries, where they could establish residency and seek lucrative free-agent contracts.

In return, Estrada’s Total Baseball company was to be paid 20 percent of the $68 million contract Abreu signed with the Sox, with Hernandez and two partners getting 5 percent.

Abreu testified he has kept his end of the deal, paying Estrada’s firm more than $7 million since he signed the deal in 2013. He still owes Estrada about $5 million but isn’t sure he will continue paying him, considering Estrada is facing significant prison time if convicted.

‘‘Things have changed,’’ Abreu testified. ‘‘They are different now.’’

Abreu said he now thinks the terms he agreed to with Estrada were unfair.

‘‘Do you feel like you were taken advantage of by Julio’s company?’’ Estrada attorney Sabrina Puglisi said.

‘‘Yes,’’ Abreu replied.

The prosecution part of the case is nearing an end. Abreu finished his second day of testimony, and Sox manager Rick Renteria said he expects him to play in the team’s spring game Friday against the Padres.

Jones OK Right-hander Nate Jones said he was sore but OK a day after taking a comebacker to the mound off the side of his right knee. Jones had a sizable red mark on the leg but a smile on his face.

‘‘A little sore this morning, but the stability is good, so it’s all good,’’ Jones said. ‘‘[It will] just be sore for a couple of days. Take it easy today [and] get after it tomorrow.’’

Jones is scheduled to leave Monday for Miami for the World Baseball Classic. He said he doesn’t think the leg will be an issue.

Prospect watch Baseball Prospectus will have the Sox’ farm system sixth in its latest rankings Friday. Baseball America has them fifth and MLBpipeline third. Before their offseason trades of left-hander Chris Sale and outfielder Adam Eaton, the Sox were ranked in the bottom third of the majors overall.

The Sox might not be done climbing in the rankings. Baseball America prospects expert Ben Badler reported the Sox might have an inside track on 19-year-old Cuban outfielder Luis Robert, who is described as a first-round talent.

White Sox emphasizing new 2-strike approach By Daryl Van Schouwen / Chicago Sun-Times | March 2, 2017

SCOTTSDALE, Ariz. — Choking up with two strikes used to be textbook. Not so much anymore.

Why give up a third of an at-bat? Take the same aggressive swing with two strikes, and the results of a full, normal hack will outweigh choking up and emphasizing contact — which might mean settling for a soft ground ball — over time.

White Sox manager Rick Renteria is putting an emphasis on two-strike contact this spring. Hitting coach Todd Steverson said hitters are buying in.

‘‘Take a look,’’ Steverson said. ‘‘It’s not giving up when you [choke up]. It’s making a little adjustment and saying, ‘If I have one pitch in the strike zone, I want to put it in play, put it in play hard.’ ’’

It’s not to say a hitter can’t make a pitcher pay for a two-strike mistake when he shortens up.

‘‘It’s not saying, ‘I can’t hit it out of the ballpark or into the gap,’ ’’ Steverson said. ‘‘It’s saying, ‘I am hell-bent on making sure they make a play on me some sort of way.’ ’’

The Sox ranked eighth among 15 teams in the American League in strikeouts last season and were 11th in runs. The Athletics struck out less than any team but the Angels but were last in runs, so maybe there isn’t a direct correlation.

Factors besides contact come into play, of course. Emphasizing putting the ball in play, though, should translate into better run production, Renteria and Steverson said.

‘‘Strikeouts happen, but we don’t want them happening without a fight,’’ Steverson said. ‘‘You’re seeing a lot of our guys choking up now with two strikes because I want some barrel control. We need to scratch, claw and bite to score runs.’’

Shortstop Tim Anderson is choking up and moving up to the front of the batter’s box, and second baseman Yolmer Sanchez said he’s choking up with two strikes.

Anderson hit an opposite-field home run on an 0-2 pitch Thursday from the Giants’ Cory Gearrin.

‘‘Just trying to catch [the ball] before it breaks,’’ Anderson said before the game. ‘‘It’s been very helpful. I’ve had a couple of two-strike hits [this spring], one a double to right-center on a .

‘‘I have confidence no pitcher can throw that heater by me, and it helps me see that breaking ball a little better. I’m going to catch it before it breaks.’’

Sanchez experimented with choking up last season and liked it.

‘‘My game isn’t hitting homers, so it helped me make contact,’’ he said. ‘‘It’s good for the little guys like me; I don’t know about the big guys. With two strikes, put it in play. Especially with a runner on base, you don’t want to strike out.’’

The Sox were 13th in the AL in homers last season, and outfielder Adam Eaton, who hit 14, is gone. He was the Sox’ third-leading home-run hitter.

‘‘We can’t just wait on a three-run homer,’’ Steverson said. ‘‘We’re not that squad. We have to fight to the end, all 27 outs.’’

All-time home-run leader choked up. Reds star Joey Votto does, too.

‘‘A lot of guys do,’’ Steverson said. ‘‘They need to have that in their arsenal. With so many guys throwing 95 to 100 [mph] nowadays, it ain’t that easy getting that barrel through there consistently. I need to control it.’’

Renteria, who doesn’t buy into the notion that strikeouts aren’t that big a deal, said the importance of two-strike hitting is underrated. He’s stressting it to Sox hitters, and it seems to be hitting home.

‘‘The guys are choking up a little bit, trying to handle the bat,’’ Renteria said. ‘‘Battling and forcing the pitcher to get uncomfortable — they kind of hate that you’re spoiling pitches — makes them throw more pitches.’’

White Sox defeat Giants, 8-6 By Daryl Van Schouwen / Chicago Sun-Times | March 2, 2017

SCOTTSDALE, Ariz. — Tim Anderson hit an opposite field home run, Danny Hayes doubled in three runs and lefty Derek Holland survived two bumpy but scoreless innings as the White Sox defeated the Giants 8-6 in a Cactus League game marred by 10 errors.

The Sox committed four errors (Matt Davidson, Derek Holland, Yoan Moncada, Yolmer Sanchez) and the Giants six. The Sox did crank out 11 hits, including a two-run blast by Tim Anderson against Corey Gearrin and AAA first baseman Danny Hayes’ double in the gap against Matt Moore in the first. The Sox improved to 4-2 with a tie in Cactus League games.

Pitching in Holland pitched two scoreless innings in his Sox spring debut, although he allowed two walks to left-handed hitters, two hits and made an errant throw on a pickoff attempt.

Holland, bouncing back from injuries last season with the Texas Rangers, said he feels great.

“First time out, wearing a different uniform, I butterflies going because you want to get out there,’’ he said. “I got my pregame routine done in, like, 30 seconds I was so excited to be out there.’’

Carson Fulmer also had a mixed bag with two runs on three hits allowed with four of his outs via strikeouts.

Here’s Holland after his outing:

Lawrie’s loss is their gain Brett Lawrie (muscle discomfort) hasn’t played in a game, which has meant more innings for infielders Tyler Saladino, Sanchez and Moncada. “I’m not too concerned about it, to be honest,’’ manager Rick Renteria said. “It’s a situation where we do have coverage. We still have a lot of days left.’’

On deck Sox at Padres, 7:40, Dylan Covey vs. Luis Perdemo. Jose Quintana and Miguel Gonzalez are pitching in simulated games, and Carlos Rodon is scheduled to throw off a mound for the first time in his first bullpen session.

Will other MLB clubs' misfortune be White Sox gain? By Scot Gregor / Daily Herald | March 2, 2017

As Chicago White Sox general manager Rick Hahn continues to play the waiting game on the trade front, there were some interesting developments in three major-league camps this week that could trigger moves.

Let's take a look:

Red Sox: Needing a front-end starting pitcher, the acquired Chris Sale from the White Sox in early December for four quality prospects, headed by second baseman Yoan Moncada.

This spring, Sale slotted in as Boston's No. 3 starter, behind and reigning Award winner .

Price threw 38 pitches in a simulated game on Tuesday and complained of elbow soreness on Wednesday.

Signed by the Red Sox to a staggering seven-year, $210 million contract before the 2016 season, Price is scheduled to meet with Dr. James Andrews, a renowned elbow specialist.

If the news on Price is bad, Boston might come back to the White Sox for another starter -- Jose Quintana.

The Red Sox paid a steep price for Sale, trading three of their Top 10 prospects (Moncada, , ), but they could still offer the White Sox promising youngsters like third baseman , starting pitcher Jason Groome and first baseman Sam Travis for Quintana.

Mets: had neck surgery last June, and now he's dealing with now a severely weakened throwing (right) shoulder that threatens to sideline the third baseman indefinitely.

"My shoulder stopped working properly and kind of shut down," Wright told reporters on Thursday.

New York has moved Jose Reyes to third base to replace Wright, but he's a natural shortstop and on the downhill side in his 15th major-league season.

The Mets need help, and White Sox third baseman Todd Frazier is available.

Not only would Frazier add needed power to New York's lineup, the Toms River, N.J., native would become an instant fan favorite.

Astros: Houston has been linked to Quintana all winter, and not much has changed in spring training.

The Astros have one of the most potent offenses in baseball, but the rotation is shaky at best with , Lance McCullers, Collin McHugh, Charlie Morton and either Joe Musgrove or Mike Fiers.

Making matters worse for the Astros, McHugh has yet to throw off the mound in training camp due to arm soreness.

If there is a serious health issue, Houston might finally be willing to part with some of its top prospects (starter Francis Martes, outfielders Kyle Tucker and Derek Fisher) to land Quintana.

White Sox slugger Jose Abreu 'had a lot of trust' in accused smuggler By Associated Press | March 2, 2017

MIAMI -- Chicago White Sox slugger Jose Abreu testified Thursday that he had a close relationship with a Florida baseball trainer on trial along with a sports agent for allegedly smuggling Cuban ballplayers off the island.

Abreu acknowledged giving trainer Julio Estrada $25,000 per month last summer after Estrada's assets were frozen by the government following his indictment in the smuggling case -- $10,000 more than Estrada had requested. He did so, Abreu testified, "because of the high esteem I have for him."

Abreu also paid Estrada's wife an undisclosed amount to help decorate the player's South Florida home, even though she has no professional experience doing that work. He bought a separate $500,000 house in the Florida Keys for Estrada to live in rent-free, and Estrada was best man at Abreu's wedding.

"These were people who had helped me a lot in getting into this country, so I had a lot of trust in them," Abreu told a jury.

Estrada and sports agent Bartolo Hernandez are charged with conspiracy and alien smuggling for allegedly overseeing a network that brought Abreu and other ballplayers out of Cuba by boat to third countries, such as Mexico and Haiti, where they could establish residency and seek lucrative free-agent contracts with Major League Baseball teams.

In return, Estrada and Hernandez got a percentage of those player contracts. In Abreu's case, Estrada's Total Baseball company was to be paid 20 percent of his $68 million White Sox contract, with Hernandez and two partners getting 5 percent.

Abreu testified that he has kept his end of the bargain, paying Estrada's firm more than $7 million since he signed the Chicago deal in 2013. He still owes about $5 million but is not sure if he will pay Estrada any more, especially considering the trainer is facing significant prison time if convicted.

"Things have changed," Abreu testified. "They are different now."

Abreu, who was American League Rookie of the Year in 2014 and is a top MLB power hitter, also said he now thinks the terms he agreed to with Estrada were unfair to him.

"Do you feel like you were taken advantage of by Julio's company?" asked Estrada attorney Sabrina Puglisi.

"Yes," Abreu replied.

Abreu testified Wednesday he used a fake Haitian passport to fly to Miami in October 2013, eating part of the document while in the air to cover it up. As a Cuban, he was permitted to remain in the U.S. under immigration rules at the time, despite having no visa or other valid travel papers.

Neither Estrada nor Hernandez had advance knowledge of his clandestine trip, Abreu testified.

"Would you say Julio always urged you to do things the right way?" Puglisi asked.

"Yes," the player responded.

After coming to the U.S., Abreu said he sought to get several family members out of Cuba. He enlisted the help of Amin Latouff, described as a part of the smuggling network in Haiti who could get fake documents and provide other services necessary for the players' relocation. He paid Latouff $115,000 for the service, with some of the money delivered in cash by human "mules" who traveled to Haiti from Miami, Abreu said.

"I would bring my family to the United States no matter at what cost," he testified.

Latouff was indicted in the U.S. smuggling case but has remained at large.

Abreu finished his second day of testimony Thursday morning and was free to return to White Sox spring training in Arizona. The prosecution part of the case is nearing an end after about a month, to be followed by testimony from defense witnesses. It's not clear if either Hernandez or Estrada will testify.

Former MLB pitcher Jack McDowell hired to coach D-II team By Associated Press | March 2, 2017

CHARLOTTE, N.C. -- Former Chicago White Sox pitcher Jack McDowell has been hired to coach a startup baseball team at a Division II college.

Queens University of Charlotte athletic director Cherie Swarthout announced McDowell's hiring Thursday.

McDowell made three All-Star teams and won the in the American League in 1993 during a 12-year major league career spent mostly with the White Sox. He spent two years coaching Dodgers farm teams but was fired in 2015.

School spokeswoman Phylicia Short says McDowell recently moved to the area, and McDowell says it's been "a dream of mine to be able to build a program from the ground up."

Queens' team will debut at the club level in 2018 before becoming an official Division II sport the following year.

Chicago White Sox 2017 preview By Lindsey Foltin / FOX Sports | March 2, 2017

This is the latest of our 2017 team previews. Each week during spring training, we’ll preview a division with a team each day (Monday-Friday). This week we’re taking a look at the AL Central: | | . Up next:

LAST SEASON 78-84, 4th place in AL Central

WHAT’S NEW Key additions: SP Derek Holland (free agent from Rangers), 2B Yoan Moncada (trade from Red Sox), SP Michael Kopech (trade from Red Sox), SP (trade from Nationals), SP Reynaldo Lopez, (trade from Nationals), C Geovany Soto (free agent from Angels), OF Peter Bourjos (free agent from Phillies)

Key subtractions: SP Chris Sale (traded to Red Sox), OF Adam Eaton (traded to Nationals), DH Justin Moreau (free agent), RP Matt Albers (free agent to Nationals), CF Austin Jackson (free agent to Indians), C Alex Avila (free agent to Tigers)

3 STRIKES 1. They’re in full-on rebuild mode. In the biggest blockbuster move of the offseason, the White Sox traded Chris Sale to the Red Sox for 21-year-old Moncada and three prospects. They followed that up by robbing the Nationals blind in a trade that sent Eaton to Washington in exchange for three top pitching prospects. The trades were basically the culmination of a rebuild that everyone saw coming for at least the past year. White Sox fans are likely in for some dark days, at least for the immediate future. But the Sox scored an impressive haul of prospects in moving Sale and Eaton, and if most of them pan out as expected, they’ll have a solid core of young players to build on for years to come. Anyone up for a trip to Birmingham, Ala. this summer?

2. Don’t get too attached to the “big name” veterans. There’s a realistic possibility that four of Chicago’s five starters will be traded at some point this year. They’ll hang on to Carlos Rodon (the No. 3 overall pick in 2014), but the market for Jose Quintana has heated up over the past few months, while Derek Holland could prove to be a valuable trade chip if he can get off to a hot start and stay healthy. Don’t be surprised if closer David Robertson, outfielder Melky Cabrera, second baseman Brett Lawrie and third baseman Todd Frazier are all gone by year’s end, too.

3. There is a bright side, somewhat. First baseman Jose Abreu had a down year in 2016, but a player with that determination and talent is expected to bounce back this season. And when that happens, we can all go back to gawking over his tape-measure bombs and sheer power. It will be fun watching him continue to develop his major-league game, along with fellow Cuban defector phenom Yoan Moncada.

BEST-CASE SCENARIO Holland and both experience a resurgence and pitch just well enough to make the team watchable until they’re traded after the All-Star break.

WORST-CASE SCENARIO The White Sox struggle out of the gate and things get ugly fast, leading to a full-blown fire sale of every recognizable name before the halfway point.

SURPRISING STAT They got off to a hot start in 2016, sporting a 23-10 record on May 9. Then things took a freakishly bad turn. The Sox went on to lose the next 15 of 19 and eventually finished the season six games under .500.

BEST BETS Projected win total (via Atlantis Casino Resort): 73.5

World Series odds (via VegasInsider.com): 100/1

TOP 5 FANTASY PLAYERS

1. Jose Abreu, 1B: Abreu’s homer total dropped to 25 last season, but he still batted .293 with 100 RBI. He’s not an elite fantasy first baseman, but he’s still pretty good.

2. Jose Quintana, SP: Over the last four seasons, Quintana has averaged 32 starts with a 3.35 ERA, a 1.22 WHIP and a league-average rate. You could do a LOT worse with your second or third starter slot.

3. Todd Frazier, 3B: Frazier had a career high 40 home runs and added 15 steals last season, with a crummy .225 BA that hurt fantasy owners who didn’t account for it with other draft picks. The power is nice, but be careful.

4. David Robertson, RP: Robertson’s K rate dropped from elite to merely very good in 2016, and his control went off the rails. If he doesn’t turn things around, Nate Jones will be looking over his shoulder.

5. Carlos Rodon, SP: Rodon’s second half was much better than his first in 2016, as his control caught up with his stuff. The 24-year-old lefty could be ready to take a big step forward. Sleeper.

(Courtesy of FOX Sports Fantasy Baseball)

PREDICTION White Sox fans are in for a rough one.

Jose Abreu Set to Return to White Sox Spring Training After Testimony By Associated Press | March 2, 2017

MIAMI (AP) — Chicago White Sox first baseman Jose Abreu is free to return to spring training in Arizona now that he’s concluded his testimony in the trial of two men accused of illegally smuggling Cuban ballplayers to the United States.

Abreu testified for a second day Thursday in the trial in Miami. On Wednesday, he testified that he ate a chunk of a fake passport while flying to the U.S. to cover up his illegal travel.

On trial are Florida sports agent Bartolo Hernandez and baseball trainer Julio Estrada on charges of conspiracy and alien smuggling.

Abreu testified Wednesday he ordered a beer on a flight from Haiti to Miami and consumed the page containing a false name and his photo.

Abreu says he traveled illegally because he was worried about losing his $68 million contract with Chicago.

Derek Holland Has Scoreless Spring Debut For White Sox By Bruce Levine / CBS Chicago | March 2, 2017

SCOTTSDALE, Ariz. (CBS) — Hoping to bounce back from an injury-plagued past three seasons, left-hander Derek Holland made his spring debut for the White Sox on Thursday, working around two hits and two walks to throw two scoreless innings against the Giants.

The 30-year-old Holland used to be a key rotation member on Rangers teams that reached the in 2010 and 2011, and he’s trying to get back to a similar level of performance after shoulder issues changed the course of his career in the ensuing years.

Holland’s body of work convinced the White Sox to sign him to a one-year deal this past offseason after he started 22 games last year with the Rangers. The team believes he still has something left in the tank and hopes he can fill the innings void left by the trade of ace left-hander Chris Sale to the Red Sox.

Holland doesn’t worry about his injury issues of the past and has been working closely with pitching coach Don Cooper.

“I am past that,” Holland said. “You (the media) are the only ones that keep bringing that up. I have turned the page on that. You cannot focus on the past. You must concentrate on the present. Overall, I feel very strong, very good. I have had a lot of good work Coop. The training staff and conditioning guys have been fantastic. They have helped me get where I need to be.”

Holland was happy to get back into game action Thursday, even if he struggled with his control.

“I felt very good,” Holland said. “Obviously I was anxious getting out there with a new team, with new . I thought we did a good job out today. We were definitely working on some more stuff in the second inning. I had not thrown enough change-ups in the first inning. I told (catcher Omar Narvaez) we needed to work more in. The only disappointment was the walks to the left-handed hitters. That is usually a strength of mine.”

Holland was 7-9 with a 4.95 ERA and 1.41 WHIP last season.

“If you look at the past three years with injuries, each time I have gotten better,” Holland said. “You must continue to move forward. I am very happy how I feel.”