TEMPE and GLENDALE, Ariz. — Cactus League games provide opportunities to impress for players vying for roster spots.
That was the case Sunday for Oscar Colás. The Chicago White Sox prospect, competing for the opening in right field, singled twice in three at-bats in a 7-0 loss to the Los Angeles Angels in Tempe.
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The Cubs also dropped their Cactus League game, falling 9-4 to the Los Angeles Dodgers in Glendale.
Chicago Tribune baseball writers LaMond Pope and Meghan Montemurro will be providing Cubs and White Sox updates throughout spring training.
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Justin Steele’s spring debut was delayed because of left arm fatigue. It popped up Saturday after he threw a “touch-and-feel” bullpen session Friday. The Cubs are erring on the side of caution, manager David Ross said.
“He’s thrown a lot so far,” Ross added.
The Cubs’ improved starting pitching depth is expected to help weather any injuries or performance issues in the rotation. They don’t want to have to further test their internal options while already down one starter for opening day with Kyle Hendricks slated to start the season on the injured list as he continues to rehab his right shoulder.
Ross didn’t sound overly concerned about Steele and expects the lefty will throw a bullpen before making his next scheduled start, which would be the best-case outcome.
The Sox had one pitch-clock violation in Saturday’s Cactus League opener, called on Mike Morin in the ninth inning. Manager Pedro Grifol said the ruling was “up for debate.”
“When the catcher comes out to give a sign, there is a window there where the clock gets reset,” Grifol said Sunday. “And (Carlos) Pérez came out to give a sign, the clock didn’t get reset and we had a violation.
“They’re going to let us know. But I want to see that kind of stuff happen. … We can talk about it here (in camp), make sure we have our t’s crossed and i’s dotted before we leave.”
Overall, Grifol called the opener “a good first day.”
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“We did some good things out there but we also made six or seven mistakes that we wanted to go over,” Grifol said. “We weren’t sharp on our cutoffs and relays. Pop-up priority, we have to address that. PitchCom issues to address. There were some picks we wanted to run that we didn’t. Have to address that.”
Castro noted Yoán Moncada’s at-bats and baserunning as standing out and said Luis Robert was “fundamentally sound” in center field.
The approach on the mound, Grifol said Sunday, is “attacking two out of three, which is two strikes out of the first three pitches thrown.”
“(Saturday) we were at 56%, which I know (pitching coach) Ethan (Katz) wants to see that creep up a little bit,” Grifol said. “But the good thing is we had 11 strikeouts and 10 of them were successful two out of three where we got ahead two strikes out of the first three pitches.
“The two walks were where we didn’t execute the two out of three. That’s something we are focusing on. I know Ethan and (bullpen coach) Curt (Hasler) are working really hard with these guys on that. We think that’s really going to help us.”
Grifol was pleased with what he saw from the pitchers Saturday, including starter Lance Lynn’s three innings (one run, three hits and four strikeouts).
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“We’re happy with where he is right now,” Grifol said. “(Reliever Kendall) Graveman threw the ball really well (a run and two strikeouts in one inning). (José) Ruiz threw the ball really well (one strikeout in a scoreless frame). It’s a good day on that end.”
Seiya Suzuki underwent imaging on his left oblique after being pulled out of Saturday’s lineup before the game because of tightness. With less than two weeks before Team Japan’s opener in Toyko, there’s a time crunch for Suzuki to be fully healthy to play in the WBC.
The Cubs expect to have more information on Suzuki’s oblique Monday after reviewing the images and discussing the situation with doctors and trainers. They will formulate a plan from there.
As for whether that includes Suzuki playing for Japan, Ross said it’s “wait and see” about the right fielder’s status.
“I don’t want to make any comments on the WBC or anything like that,” Ross said Sunday. “We’ll see what happens and what information we get back.”
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- Cubs (split squad) vs. Guardians, 2:05 p.m., Marquee; at Diamondbacks, 2:10 p.m.
- White Sox vs. Mariners, 2:05 p.m., NBCSCH
“I feel comfortable out there. Second day in a row, all the nervousness I could feel (Saturday) was gone.” — Oscar Colás through an interpreter after his two-hit day
