SURPRISE, Ariz. — Rght-hander Jacob Turner, who’s in the mix for the final spot in the White Sox rotation, gave up home runs to Alex Gordon and Lorenzo Cain as he allowed four runs over three innings of work Monday against the Kansas City Royals.
Turner allowed six hits and issued one walk with two strikeouts in the White Sox 9-3 loss to the defending World Series champions. At a time of the year when plenty of established pitchers are just looking to get their work in, Turner isn’t taking that approach.
“I’ve never said that,” Turner said. “Every time I pitch I try not to give up any runs, I don’t care if it’s spring training or Game 7 of the World Series. Every time I pitch I’m trying to get results and execute pitches.”
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Turner, who underwent elbow surgery last June, allowed five runs on six hits with two walks in his last start March 9 against Oakland. With the White Sox fifth starter spot seemingly up for grabs (right-hander Mat Latos appears the favorite with three weeks until opening day) Turner’s execution will have to be better to keep him in the mix for that rotation spot.
“The stuff has been pretty good, the execution has been a little disappointing at times, especially out of the stretch, I feel like,” Turner said. “Coming off the injury I’m happy to be pitching, happy to be competing. A few balls have found holes but obviously when that happens you have to bear down and get the next guy out. That’s what I’ll focus on next time.”
Briefly
MLB
— Manager Robin Ventura said Adam LaRoche (back) could play Tuesday when the White Sox face the Los Angeles Dodgers at Camelback Ranch. LaRoche, who’s been sidelined since suffering back spasms March 5, will most likely return to the lineup in Glendale so he can receive treatment at the White Sox facility as soon as he exits the game.
— Catcher Dioner Navarro bruised his foot when he fouled a ball off it in Sunday’s loss to the Arizona Diamondbacks. Both the veteran backstop and Ventura didn’t sound concerned it’d take away much playing time.
— Minor league outfielder Jason Coats hit his second home run of spring training Monday off left-hander John Lannan, while right-hander Daniel Webb issued two walks and was tagged for three runs in just two-thirds of an inning.
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— In Monday’s “B” game, Chris Sale picked a Dodgers minor leaguer off first base (the runner took off on Sale's move and was easily retired at second base). The left-hander’s worked a bit on his pickoff move this spring but offered a self-deprecating quote: “I don’t know how much of that was me being good or vice versa, him being bad. But it worked. We’ll take it. We’ll take it for now.”