White Sox Make First Cuts of the Spring, Viciedo Hurt

The roster moves were made Wednesday but I was off the last two days so I wasn’t around for the press release. Here are the moves:

RHP Lucas Harrell and RHP Jhonny Nunez optioned to AAA Charlotte.

RHP Kyle Bellamy, LHP Charlie Leesman, C Josh Phegley, C Jared Price and OF Brandon Short reassigned to minor-league camp.

None of these moves come as a surprise. Harrell had the best shot to make the team but got shelled Tuesday on the blustery day with 25 mph winds…you know, the game that ended in a 16-16 tie…bad luck on his part, but he was called up for emergency starts last season, he’ll likely be a leading candidate to do so later this year.

A.J. Pierzynski and Ramon Castro have the catchers spot locked up with Tyler Flowers being the only legitimate candidate to get some time should any health issues arise. Brandon Short was on a long list of outfielders vying for just one spot, and has been outperformed by just about everyone from Alejandro De Aza to Jordan Danks.

The White Sox have 47 players remaining in camp – 24 pitchers (it’s unclear whether there will be 11 or 12 on the 25-man roster, probably 12), four catchers, 11 infielders and seven outfielders.
Dayan Viciedo, the one true standout this spring, was hit by a pitch and fractured his thumb yesterday and is thought to be out 3-4 weeks at this point. He’ll be re-examined today and I might have more for you this afternoon.