GLENDALE, Ariz. -- Jimmy Rollins is a pretty good bet to make the Opening Day roster for the White Sox, Robin Ventura said Wednesday.
On the eve of the team’s first spring training game, Ventura said he believes Rollins will make the club out of camp.
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The veteran shortstop signed a minor-league deal last week with the White Sox that would pay him $2 million if he reaches the majors. Rollins is competing with Tyler Saladino for the starting shortstop job and could also be used in a utility role. The White Sox open Cactus League play Thursday against the Los Angeles Dodgers.
“I expect (Rollins) to make the team,” Ventura said. “Unless something happens physically where it wouldn’t work.”
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Rollins appeared in 144 games for the Dodgers in 2015. He hit .224/.285/.358 with 13 home runs and 12 steals in 563 plate appearances. Rollins could be considered the leading candidate to win the starting job. But, even if he did get named the starter, Saladino likely would see playing time at short in order to rest Rollins, 37.
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“You want to hit it right on the nose where you’re not worrying about (rest),” Ventura said. “You want to get him as much as he can where he’s playing effective and doing all the right things in the first half that you don’t want to hold it all back just for the second half.”