Nate Jones will pitch earlier than normal this season as he competes for Team USA in the World Baseball Classic. But the White Sox reliever said Friday at SoxFest that the change would barely affect his preparation for the regular season.
Jones learned 10 days ago he'd become the fourth White Sox pitcher to compete in the 2017 WBC when he received an invitation to pitch for USA. The tournament is held from March 7-22.
Closer David Robertson is on Team USA's provisional roster while starter Miguel Gonzalez will pitch for Mexico. Jose Quintana pitches for Colombia, which opens play in Pool C against the US squad on March 9 in Miami.
"It's not every day do you get a call from Joe Torre and Jim Leyland," Jones said. "That was a pretty cool experience.
"I'm usually one of the guys that comes into spring training prepared to hit the ground running. It didn't change anything."
Jones has already thrown six bullpens and has two more scheduled before he heads to Arizona to begin spring training. Once he arrives in camp, Jones and pitching coach Don Cooper will devise a plan to have him ready for the WBC. They'll create another schedule when he returns to have him ready for the regular season, Jones said.
Unlike 2013, Gonzalez accepted Team Mexico's offer to pitch. Back then, Gonzalez was still competing for a spot in the Baltimore Orioles rotation and didn't think he could chance leaving the team. But Gonzalez is expected to win a spot in the 2017 White Sox starting rotation and the team already offered it's blessing for him to participate.
MLB
In preparation, Gonzalez began his offseason program two weeks earlier than normal. He has already thrown four bullpens and looks forward to pitching for Mexico when it opens in Guadalajara on March 9. Gonzalez, who went 5-8 with a 3.73 ERA for the White Sox last season, was born in Guadalajara.
"It's gonna happen," Gonzalez said. "I'm looking forward to this day to come."
Jones looks forward to going up against Quintana, who made intention of pitching for Colombia known when the country qualified for the WBC last season.
"I done told him, ‘Hey, you're going down,' " Jones said.