The good news is the White Sox finally picked up their first win of Spring Training, beating the Guardians 4-2. Unfortunately, the victory was overshadowed by injury news for Colson Montgomery and Andrew Benintendi.
Here’s more from the game and Thursday’s storylines.
FINAL: Guardians 2, White Sox 4
The White Sox finally got one in the win column, as the pitchers held it down on the mound.
Martin Perez made his first appearance in a White Sox uniform, tossing a pair of shutout innings while also collecting a couple of punchouts. Lefties Cam Booser and Jake Eder followed the starter with an inning each, keeping the shutout alive.
The game was scoreless heading into the 4th inning, when Triston McKenzie walked the bases loaded. Lenyn Sosa made him pay for that, scortching a double down the third base line to drive in a pair of runs. It was Sosa’s second hit of the game, as he went 2-for-3 on the day.
The Sox then gave up two runs over the next three innings, but the lineup did enough to hold the lead for Peyton Pallette to enter the game in the 9th inning. He recorded the save, securing the Sox that elusive first win.
Box Score
Colson Montgomery, Andrew Benintendi suffer injuries
Prior to the game, it was announced that Colson Montgomery was pulled from the lineup due to back spasms. The team said that the decision was precautionary and that he would be day-to-day. That didn’t prevent fans from showing concern, however, as the shortstop has a history of back issues.
Both Montgomery himself and manager Will Venable downplayed the injury, reiterating that the decision was more of a precautionary one. Neither appeared to be concerned that this could be a long-term issue. For now, he is going to be listed as day-to-day and is expected to be back in the lineup later in Spring Training.
The injury woes didn’t stop there, however. In the bottom of the first inning, Andrew Benintendi was hit on the hand by a pitch and was unable to return. It didn’t take more than an hour for the team to announce that the left fielder would be missing 4-6 weeks with what they are calling a non-displaced right hand fracture.
Benintendi, who came on strong in the second half of the 2024 season after struggling in the first half, was hoping to build off of that bounce-back performance. Meanwhile, it is no secret that the White Sox have been hoping to trade Benintendi, clearing his contract from the books.
With the 4-6 week window, Benintendi may begin the season on the IL. However, it shouldn’t cut too far into the season, and he may not need to miss much more than the minimum 10 days in that scenario.
Jake Burger homers just days after daughter’s open-hear surgery
In a feel-good story, former White Sox third baseman Jake Burger hit his first home run with the Texas Rangers. As noted by his wife on Instagram, Jake was wearing the hospital band of his four-month-old daughter who underwent successful open heart surgery on Monday.
Other News and Notes
Follow us @SoxOn35th for more throughout the season!
Featured Image: Isaiah J. Downing-USA TODAY Sports
