Wherever the Chicago White Sox aren’t set in terms of roster configuration, do the last-minute battles really matter?
Ervin Santana in the No. 5 rotation spot, or Manny Bañuelos? Leury García starting in left field, or Daniel Palka (or, here’s a thought, Eloy Jiménez)? Alex Colomé has been named manager Ricky Renteria’s closer, so even the key late roles (Colomé closing, Kelvin Herrera and Jace Fry setting up) are settled.
Thus, these last few games of spring, including the duo next week at the Arizona Diamondbacks in the big-boy stadium, are playing out the string. Carlos Rodón led the effort on Friday, turning a planned three-inning start into two, courtesy of an endless first inning that saw Mike Trout hit a clothesliner out to left to put the Angels up, 3-0.