GLENDALE, Ariz. – The light trickle of roster news continued Wednesday afternoon when Chicago White Sox manager Robin Ventura revealed that both starting second base candidates, Carlos Sanchez and Micah Johnson, will make the Opening Day roster.
Ventura has been revealing bits and pieces of his Opening Day roster all week. On Tuesday morning he said that J.B. Shuck will be a backup outfielder, and then confirmed later Tuesday that reliever Matt Albers and catcher Geovany Soto will be on the team when the season starts.
Ventura declined to name a starting second baseman, although it is believed that Johnson won the job after batting .321 with a .368 on-base percentage through games of Tuesday. Sanchez batted .371 with a .436 OBP and has played the better defense of the two. Johnson’s numbers came in 53 at-bats; Sanchez’s came in 35.
“They both played well,” Ventura said. “Sanchez, he played well as well. You’re able to take [both players]. We have some flexibility to have both Micah and Sanchez go with us, especially with Carlos being able to play multiple positions."
The starting second baseman likely will be revealed Sunday when the White Sox go through a light workout at Kansas City in advance of the opener a day later, Ventura said.
The foot injury that will cause Chris Sale to miss a start at the outset of the season has allowed for the extra position player. It also revealed that the club will carry the typical seven relievers at the outset instead of an extra bullpen arm.
Ventura said the club is still working out the bullpen particulars, although the seven relievers look set. The White Sox are expected to have David Robertson, Zach Putnam, Dan Jennings, Zach Duke, Kyle Drabek, Javy Guerra and Albers in the bullpen.
Relievers Jake Petricka and Nate Jones will open the season on the disabled list, although Petricka should be able to return within the first few weeks of the season.
