Natalia Chi
DETROIT — Liam Hendricks had a live batting practice Friday at Comerica Park. This was probably the last step before joining the White Sox for his season debut after battling cancer.
The Sox closer threw 19 pitches to Elvis Andrus, Adam Haisley and Sevy Zavala. Contact was limited except for left-handed hitter Hassery hitting a ground ball to third base on the side of second base.
“His numbers were really good,” said coach Pedro Grifol. “He came over from Cleveland. It’s a really good step in the right direction.”
While this could be the last checkbox for Hendrix, Grifol stressed that Hendrix is in no hurry. Hendrix received her final chemotherapy treatment on April 3.
Hendricks appeared in six games for Triple-A Charlotte, allowing six earned runs in five innings. This was his third live BP.
“We’re going to take a long, hard look at it as an organization and see what the next steps are,” Grifol said.
“He’s filling the zone and getting some outs,” Zavala said. “Things look good. I think it’s up to him now.
“When I talk to him, he says he feels good.”
Second working burger
Jake Berger worked as a second baseman before games with coach Eddie Rodriguez. It’s unclear when third baseman Berger will play second base, but he’s gearing up for the job.
“He’s very, very serviceable,” Rodriguez said. “He may look different to the naked eye, but he’s got some athleticism and can do what’s asked of him,” he said.
“He’s learning the basics.”
Going back on a popup and going to both sides on a left-to-right grounder shouldn’t be a problem.
“He pulled it off at third base,” Rodriguez said. “We’re definitely ready to reverse the double play. His hands work well, his legs work well, his arms work well.”
Burger Steal
Berger runs well for his beefy stature and was happy to steal his first base since college against the Tigers on Thursday. He stole second base and scored on Tim Anderson’s single.
“Crazy. I was texting my friends about it and they were like, ‘That must have been the backside, stole first base, stole second,'” he said. “I was like, ‘No, straight.’
Clevinger’s Pace
Right-hander Mike Clevinger said he will throw the bullpen in Detroit on Saturday and will have live batting practice in Chicago a few days later. If all goes according to plan, Clevinger could be off the disabled list and face the Tigers on June 2.
That would put opener Jimmy Lambert in one inning and Jesse Scholtens in five innings in Cleveland on Monday in the rotation position. Grifol could make the same plan on Friday.
this and that
Eloy Jimenez could return from his rehabilitation duties at Double-A Birmingham on Monday. Grifol said he only cares about Jimenez’s mood, not how he performs in minor league games, and Jimenez said he “feels great.”
*Outfielder Jake Marisnick accepted his commission and was fully named to Triple-A Charlotte. Marisnick was named after signing Clint Frazier from Charlotte on Sunday.
