GLENDALE, Ariz. -- Jake Petricka's chances of starting the season on the Opening Day roster for the Chicago White Sox are now slim after the right-hander reported more soreness following a throwing session Sunday.
Petricka, who had an MRI on his right elbow area last week that came back clean, felt his discomfort during a morning long-toss session.
“I'm irritated,” Petricka said. “I feel like I'm letting everyone down just not being able to go out there and do my job. I came in in great shape. Maybe I got a little too amped up in those live batting practice sessions (early in spring) getting a taste of the season again and threw too hard.”
It leaves Petricka with just eight days to not only recover from soreness but to return to game action, something that seems extremely unlikely at this point. Despite his slim chances, he won’t rule himself out for April 6 at Kansas City.
“That's up to those guys,” Petricka said of the medical and coaching staffs. “I just go out there and give them the feedback of how it goes.”
The White Sox are expected to carry eight relievers and four starters for the first week of the season. Among the locks for the bullpen are David Robertson, Zach Putnam, Javy Guerra, Zach Duke and Dan Jennings. Newcomer Kyle Drabek is a strong possibility for the bullpen.
The candidates for the final two bullpen spots include Maikel Cleto, Matt Albers, Arcenio Leon, Brad Penny and Scott Carroll.
