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 Spring Training'” … 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 Baseball 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 Innings in First Action for White Sox” … Dan Hayes, CSN Chicago “White Sox's Nate Jones: Bruised knee won't keep me out of World Baseball Classic” … Colleen Kane, Chicago Tribune “Thursday's recap: White Sox 8, Giants 6” … Colleen Kane, Chicago Tribune “White Sox pitcher 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, Associated Press “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 coach D-II team” … Associated Press “Chicago White Sox 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 Nick Capra 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 Class A 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 manager Rick Renteria. "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 Chris Sale and Adam Eaton 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 infielders 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 hit to the outfield. 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 changeup with catcher Omar Narvaez in the second. He eventually pitched out of a bases-loaded, two-out jam by retiring Jimmy Rollins 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. Yoan Moncada, 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 inning 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 Triple-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.