GLENDALE, Ariz. – Two more moves Saturday got the Chicago White Sox that much closer to a final Opening Day roster.
Right-hander Daniel Webb, who spent the entire 2014 season in the major leagues, was optioned to Triple-A Charlotte. In addition, left-hander Zach Phillips was reassigned to minor league camp.
Control has always been Webb’s weakness and it was more of the same in 9 1/3 Cactus League innings this spring. He walked eight batters and hit another in his nine games. His outing Thursday against the Los Angeles Dodgers sealed his fate as he gave up a two-run home run to Jimmy Rollins.
His two runs allowed over one inning pushed his spring ERA to 8.68. He also has a 2.250 WHIP (walks/hits per innings pitched).
On Friday, the White Sox claimed Kyle Drabek off waivers from the Toronto Blue Jays, giving them more bullpen wiggle room. The right-hander, who has made 30 of his 39 major league appearances as a starter, made all six of his spring appearances for Toronto in relief.
Phillips had a 6.23 ERA over 8 2/3 innings. He gave up a run against the Dodgers on Thursday, but his rough outing came last weekend against the Brewers when he gave up two home runs in a four-run eighth inning.
The two moves leave the White Sox with 39 players remaining in big league camp: 23 pitchers, three catchers, eight infielders and five outfielders.
