The Giants scored five runs in the fifth inning to spoil Mat Latos' White Sox debut.

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1 HEADLINES OF MARCH 23, 2016 Rollins, Ishikawa homer to rally White Sox Scott Merkin, MLB.com Quintana happy for Colombia s WBC berth Scott Merkin, MLB.com Abreu: A special moment in Cuba Scott Merkin, MLB.com Hawk in favor of players showing emotions Scott Merkin, MLB.com With Frazier behind him, Abreu poised for big year Phil Rogers, MLB.com White Sox overcome Mat Latos blonde moment Dan Hayes, CSN Chicago Jose Abreu in awe as MLB returns to Cuba for exhibition Dan Hayes, CSN Chicago Jerry Sands wants to show White Sox what he s got Dan Hayes, CSN Chicago Avisail Garcia returns to action for White Sox on Tuesday Dan Hayes, CSN Chicago Tuesday s recap: White Sox 8, Giants 7 Colleen Kane, Chicago Tribune President Obama: Jose Abreu s separation from son can t be the kind of policies we want to promote Colleen Kane, Chicago Tribune Jerry Sands could gain roster spot from Adam LaRoche retirement Colleen Kane, Chicago Tribune Mat Latos got away from White Sox plan during embarrassing inning Colleen Kane, Chicago Tribune White Sox 8, Giants 7: Back-to-back HRs key rally Patrick Finley, Chicago Sun-Times Blond ambition: White Sox pitcher Mat Latos frustrated by 5th Patrick Finley, Chicago Sun-Times Delighted by Cuba exhibition, Jose Abreu in shock right now Patrick Finley, Chicago Sun-Times Avisail Garcia returns to White Sox lineup after wrist injury Patrick Finley, Chicago Sun-Times Danks long run with Chicago White Sox nearing end Scot Gregor, Daily Herald Levine: Mat Latos showcases his good then too much of the bad Bruce Levine, CBS Chicago Levine: Jose Abreu happy about America-Cuba connection, President Obama s visit Bruce Levine, CBS Chicago Baffoe: Let s not forget the biggest culprit in the LaRoche-White Sox fiasco Tim Baffoe, CBS Chicago Checking in on Mat Latos and Jake Peavy: Trying to find their stuff David Schoenfield, ESPN 2016 MLB season preview: Chicago White Sox Cliff Corcoran, Sports Illustrated Rollins, Ishikawa homer to rally White Sox By Scott Merkin / MLB.com March 22nd, 2016 GLENDALE, Ariz. -- Jimmy Rollins hit a game-tying three-run homer and Travis Ishikawa followed with a go-ahead shot in the sixth inning as the White Sox rallied for an 8-7 victory over the Giants on Tuesday at Camelback Ranch. The back-to-back home runs came against Giants reliever Cory Gearrin. The Giants scored five runs in the fifth inning to spoil Mat Latos' White Sox debut. Latos had gone through all of his previous work on the back fields of Camelback Ranch or in "B" games before moving to Cactus League action. He allowed one run on three hits over the first three innings, throwing 32 strikes out of his first 38 pitches, but the Giants were on him as the pitch count rose. Brandon Belt (3 RBIs) delivered a go-ahead shot with a mammoth two-run blast to right field after Joe Panik's leadoff double in the fifth. Miguel Olivo (3 RBIs), who once caught for the White Sox and was a late pregame add to the starting lineup, added a prodigious clout to left for another two-run homer in the inning. Over 4 2/3 innings, Latos yielded seven runs on 11 hits while striking out four and not issuing a walk. "I felt fine," Latos said. "I ended on a positive note, threw a really good slider to get a strikeout, and it's just a little different going from a 'B' game to here. I had a lot of energy." Peavy pleased with 8 strikeouts

2 Giants starter Jake Peavy, another former White Sox, gave up four runs on five hits over 4 2/3 innings, striking out eight and walking two. "I got up and down five times, which is what I wanted to do," Peavy said. Chicago's Austin Jackson delivered his first home run, and Jose Abreu doubled home a run. Todd Frazier (RBI) had two hits. Up next for White Sox: John Danks stands as the only White Sox starter to make every trip to the mound during Cactus League action, getting another chance on the big field Wednesday against the Padres. Danks pitched five scoreless innings with seven strikeouts against the Cubs in his last trip to the mound. The game has a 3:05 p.m. CT first pitch, broadcast live via a free whitesox.com webcast. Up next for Giants: Right-hander Matt Cain will make his second start since the removal of a cyst from his throwing arm when he faces Arizona in a 1:10 p.m. PT game at Salt River Fields at Talking Stick. Cain needs every start he can make and every inning he can get as he strives to build enough stamina to join the season-opening rotation. Wednesday's game will be streamed live via a free giants.com audio webcast. Quintana happy for Colombia s WBC berth Latos loses focus in fifth inning of spring debut By Scott Merkin / MLB.com March 22nd, 2016 GLENDALE, Ariz. -- Jose Quintana wants to play for Colombia now that his country has advanced from the Panama City qualifier to the 2017 World Baseball Classic. Colombia will make its first appearance in the Classic. "I'm ready for them if they need me," said the White Sox hurler with a broad smile. It's a pretty safe bet Colombia will need one of the most underrated starters in all of Major League Baseball. Quintana celebrated via text with fellow native players, such as Julio Teheran, when Colombia finished off Panama. "I was watching the game a little bit nervous," Quintana said. "They play hard, and that's good for my country, first time going to the WBC. "Everybody wants to go to the World Baseball Classic. It's exciting, a good moment." Latos good through four Mat Latos stood against the clubhouse wall with a smile on his face, waiting for one of the reporters to ask him about a five-run fifth that ended his 4 2/3 innings in the White Sox 8-7 victory over the Giants. Latos didn't get that particular question, but he admitted that he expected a hiccup in his first Cactus League start. "I didn't expect it to be a complete explosion. That was embarrassing," said Latos, who allowed seven runs on 11 hits over 4 2/3 innings, while striking out four. "But I'm healthy, the knee feels good." Latos pointed to the first four innings as an example of what he was trying to do with catcher Alex Avila. He threw the first nine pitches for strikes, hit within the zone on 32 of his 38 through three innings and did a good job of keeping the fastball out of the middle of the plate. But he admitted to losing focus in the fifth.

3 "We just need to stay focused for all five, six, seven innings, however long I need to go," Latos said. "Stay focused and just make my pitches. "That was a selfish error on my part, and the fifth inning was really getting away from the game plan. I've got to wear that and I gotta get back out here and make sure I don't do that again." Latos is scheduled to start Sunday in Scottsdale against the Giants again and then in San Diego next Friday. He continues building for his regular-season debut on April 7 in Oakland. Ventura has lineup versatility White Sox manager Robin Ventura doesn't believe he will have a set designated hitter at the outset of the season, with that spot rotating between outfielders Melky Cabrera, Adam Eaton, Avisail Garcia and possibly even center fielder Austin Jackson. "You do have some flexibility," Ventura said. "If you need to give a guy a breather for one reason or another, you can use the DH spot to be able to do that. Most of the outfield guys will be using that. I don't see the infield guys using that too much." Ventura won't hesitate to use catchers Dioner Navarro or Alex Avila at designated hitter, even mentioning that Brett Lawrie and/or Tyler Saladino can catch in an emergency. "And that's why I don't think it's just going to be a set guy doing the DH-ing," Ventura said. "You'd like to see those guys get as many regular at-bats as they can get." Garcia returns to action Garcia returned to the White Sox lineup Tuesday as the designated hitter, finishing 0-for-4, despite battling the effects of dental work done Monday and a sore right wrist sustained in Saturday's game against the Dodgers. "I tried to catch the ball. I just stepped on it and fell down and put a little bit of weight on my wrist," said Garcia of the injury. "I took an MRI and nothing is bad. "Just a little bruise and sore. I don't want to get hurt before the season starts. I'm just getting better every day. Just have to keep playing and see what happens." Abreu's bad aim Jose Abreu fouled a pitch off his left foot for the second straight game. He had a brace on, but Tuesday's shot still managed to hit between the protective part on his leg. Ventura said Abreu walked away with a bruise. They said it "They are huge baseball fans. They love baseball." -- Abreu, on the people of Cuba Abreu: A special moment in Cuba White Sox slugger hopeful of better relationship between countries By Scott Merkin / MLB.com March 22nd, 2016 GLENDALE, Ariz. -- The contest between the Cuban National Team and the Tampa Bay Rays, being televised live from Cuba, played in the White Sox clubhouse a little more than one hour before Tuesday's Cactus League game at Camelback Ranch.

4 Jose Abreu stood a few feet from the television, speaking to a group of reporters about the historic day, all the while acknowledging the surreal nature of the moment. Historic Cuba game filled with thrills "I am in shock right now," said Abreu through interpreter and White Sox Spanish language broadcaster Billy Russo. "If you slap my face, I can't believe it. "That's something great. We never thought that this could happen so soon. Yes, it's very special." Abreu spoke recently to MLB.com of his hopes that this game would contribute to ongoing diplomatic change. The White Sox first baseman played for Cuba in the 2013 World Baseball Classic and then defected in August of that year, eventually landing with the White Sox on a six-year, $68 million franchiserecord deal. A Major League Baseball goodwill trip to Cuba in December allowed Abreu to return to his home country and see his son, Dariel, for the first time since he left. It's his sort of treacherous journey and tough decision to leave his family that President Barack Obama mentioned specifically Monday night during an interview with ABC News. "I saw a story on SportsCenter about Abreu of the White Sox. So I paid special note to that," said President Obama, when asked about changing the rules for Cuban players to play in the United States without denouncing their Cuban citizenship. "Here's a guy of immense talent who hasn't seen his son for several years because he felt the only way he could play in the big leagues and help his family was to be separated from his toddler. "That can't be the kind of policies we want to promote. My hope is this just becomes one more part of the stitching back together of the United States and Cuba." President Obama also spoke of baseball being one of those things that "binds these two countries together." When Abreu was told of the President's specific mention, he smiled and acknowledged that he couldn't describe the emotion or the honor. "I'm very blessed for that and all that has happened to me," Abreu said. "This is a huge step for us, for people in Cuba, and I want to thank again President Obama for all of his kindness. He's an outstanding man." When the Orioles last played in Cuba in 1999, Abreu remembers his dad buying a black and white television to watch the game because they didn't have the money to attend. Now, he can watch fellow Cuban Dayron Varona play for the Rays in his homeland and dream some day of the same opportunity to return. "I have to thank Cuba because I lived there for 26 years," Abreu said. "But I also have to thank the U.S. because they are giving me the opportunity to live a better life." Hawk in favor of players showing emotions White Sox broadcaster says it would be good for the game By Scott Merkin / MLB.com March 22nd, 2016 GLENDALE, Ariz. -- Ken "Hawk" Harrelson has nothing but respect and admiration for Rich "Goose" Gossage and Johnny Bench, but he doesn't support the Hall of Famers' recent critiques of players such as Jose Bautista and Bryce Harper, who have spoken out in favor of more spontaneous celebration in baseball. In fact, Harrelson agrees with Harper's point of view, if not his choice of words to express it.

5 "It's not a tired game. But it's not as exciting as it was because of the way things go down," Harrelson told MLB.com during a phone conversation from his Florida home. "This could be a tremendously exciting game because of the talent of the players. Look at all the great young talent. "I started in 1959, so I've been in this game for parts of seven decades. Guys from the past have to realize it's a different game today. These guys are better players than we were overall. They don't have better teams than we had. But they have better players, and you know the whole thing going on lately, a large part of it is because of social media. "Society is different than when Bench and Hawk and Goose played," Harrelson continued. "I think that Bryce Harper is right. The game should be livened up a little bit. This is the way these guys are today." The colorful White Sox television play-by-play announcer pointed out that baseball and sports in general reflect the culture of the time. There was no SportsCenter or MLB Network, let alone gifs, memes and Twitter hashtags when they played. Bench is the greatest catcher of all time, in Harrelson's opinion. Gossage was a great reliever, and both would be standouts in the game today. But Harrelson believes Harper and his style would have held up just as well decades ago. "I would have loved to have played against him. He's such a great player," said Harrelson of Harper. "I would have loved to have played against a Mike Trout. These guys would have been superstars back in my time zone when we had Mickey Mantle and Stan Musial and Duke Snider. "Kids keep coming in and making plays and thrilling you and thrilling me. It's pretty hard to thrill me. I've been in this game for 56 years. I've seen a lot of [stuff]. I've seen a lot of great players, but they make plays that you know most of the guys in my time zone don't even think about making. "So I think that Johnny and Goose have to realize that," Harrelson said. "What I would tell Bryce is, 'Go for it.' If you want to add some excitement to the game, I'd love it. Let's face it, we could use a little more excitement." With Frazier behind him, Abreu poised for big year White Sox first baseman finally has protection in lineup By Phil Rogers / MLB.com March 22nd, 2016 GLENDALE, Ariz. -- Jose Abreu won't complain. He says he wasn't pitched around much in his first two seasons in Major League Baseball. Instead, he praises Adam Dunn because "his career track was good'' and says Adam LaRoche did his best to help him even though "it was kind of a down year for him because he wasn't accustomed to being a DH.'' And he says all of this with a straight face. When I tell him he is being very respectful, he laughs and breaks into a beautiful smile. "That's how my mom and dad raised me,'' Abreu said, speaking through translator Billy Russo. Back in Cuba, where Abreu's heart was as he thought about the visit of the Rays and President Obama to his homeland, Abreu also learned to be one of the best hitters on the planet. He has been that for the White Sox, but how much damage could he have done had pitchers been forced to challenge him? We're about to find out.

6 In one of the more impactful moves by any team in the offseason, the White Sox traded three prospects to get All-Star third baseman Todd Frazier from the Reds. Frazier, who just turned 30, is coming off a season in which he hit a career-high 35 home runs and has generated a 9.3 WAR over the past two seasons, matching Abreu's totals (5.5 in 2014, 3.8 in '15). "I'm very excited to see how this year goes with Frazier behind me,'' said Abreu, who had a run-scoring double to the base of the left-field wall in the White Sox's 8-7 victory Tuesday over the Giants."He is an outstanding player, a very good hitter. We have been talking a lot about what we can do during the season. We just have to wait until the season to see.'' Despite Abreu's second consecutive season of 30-plus homers and 100-plus RBIs, the White Sox were last in the American League in runs and home runs last season. But the reconstructed lineup, which features newcomers Frazier, Brett Lawrie, Austin Jackson, Jimmy Rollins and the catching tandem of Alex Avila and Dioner Navarro, could help the White Sox make a jump like the Astros did last season, scoring 100 more runs to jump from 14th in the AL in scoring to fifth. With the rotation headed by Chris Sale, Jose Quintana and Carlos Rodon (and Carson Fulmer almost ready to step in), Robin Ventura's team will be in business if that happens. For the transformed lineup to have the maximum impact, the Sox need leadoff man Adam Eaton to have a wire-to-wire performance like the one he put together after a dreadful start last season. Eaton contributed heavily to the White Sox being one of baseball's early disappointments. He was hitting.186 with a.248 on-base percentage and no home runs or RBIs in his first 105 plate appearances, but he wound up with a.382 OBP,.846 OPS and 14 home runs in his last 129 games. That's the guy the Sox need this season. "It's hard to dissect (last season),'' Eaton said. "I try to look at the grand scheme of things. I look at it as a completion of a season, a season I'm happy with personally.'' There's a different vibe to the White Sox with Frazier in the middle of things. The unofficial king of the New Jersey shore, Frazier is a guy who loves life and still looks at baseball like he's playing for the Toms River team he carried to a Little League World Series title. "Personalities in the clubhouse have really changed a lot,'' Eaton said. "I think that's what we needed -- a personality change, a different way to look at the game. I think it's going to benefit us in the long run, in June and July when crap hits the fan.'' Frazier's impact on the clubhouse could prove especially important for players who acted like they'd been sucker-punched when LaRoche retired after being asked to limit his son's presence. "He's always in a good mood,'' Abreu said of Frazier. "When he's in a room, he's shining. His personality is so big. He's always happy, always having fun. He's trying to keep everybody loose. That's good. He has experience on winning teams and knows what we have to do to win.'' The White Sox lost 99 games in 2013 but weren't ready to rebuild, not with Sale and Quintana in the rotation. Instead they won a bidding war for Abreu, a slugger with plate discipline who was fresh off showcasing his ability with three homers and nine RBIs in six games in the World Baseball Classic. Abreu has delivered on his end of a six-year, $68 million contract, but the White Sox won only 73 games in 2014 and 76 in '15, even though they imported David Robertson, Melky Cabrera, Jeff Samardzija and LaRoche along the way. Abreu has remained calm on the field and patient with his team even as pitchers have worked him on the outskirts of the strike zone.

7 Often swinging at so-called pitcher's pitches, near his ankles or outside the plate, Abreu has remained productive. He was Rookie of the Year and fourth in MVP voting two seasons ago, when he hit.317 with 36 homers and a league-leading.581 slugging percentage. Those are tough numbers to top, but he's a good bet to do that this season, thanks to having another quality run producer in his prime hitting behind him. "What [Abreu has] done, the offense we did have, is impressive as it is,'' Ventura said. "But now he's getting some protection. I think that's just going to help him. I feel like he got pitched around most of the time, but he was able to survive it, somehow end up with impressive numbers. It would make sense that something special would happen with him if we can put some runs on the board, especially with Todd behind him.'' Abreu won't say it himself, but Ventura is right. With Frazier hitting behind him, take the over. White Sox overcome Mat Latos blonde moment By Dan Hayes / CSN Chicago March 22nd, 2016 GLENDALE, Ariz. Mat Latos expected to have a hiccup in his first Cactus League game. He didn t expect this. The White Sox starter pitched well into the fifth inning on Tuesday before he imploded, allowing a pair of home runs and a five-spot. The right-hander completed 4 2/3 innings, giving up seven earned runs and 11 hits. Latos struck out four for the White Sox, who rallied past the San Francisco Giants 8-7. I kind of expected it, Latos said. I didn t expect it to be a complete explosion, that was embarrassing. But I m healthy, the knee feels good. Like I said, first inning through fourth inning shows how I really feel. Just again, a dumb move by me. A blonde moment, if you will, just getting out of what I wanted to accomplish and that s not the game plan. We don t want to get aggravated when we re out there. Stick to the game plan. If it s not broke don t fix it. I kind of let it to get me and that was a dumb selfish mistake and we ll progress there. Each of Latos previous three turns came against teams he would potentially face early in the season. That left him pitching in simulated games and B games against minor-leaguers. Latos could feel a difference between those contests and Tuesday s immediately, noting he was so amped he didn t think he d throw a strike on his first pitch. But he did and followed with eight straight more strikes before hitting Brandon Belt. Working with a fastball that touched 92, Latos pitched well in his first four frames. He had a good downward angle on his pitches and liked his command. But the Giants got Latos out of rhythm in the middle innings with a number of bloop hits and he got untracked. I thought the first few he was crisp, White Sox manager Robin Ventura said. He looked good. He was down. After that, there could be a couple things in there fatigue, could be getting him out here for the first time. I think it s just getting him back out here and getting him stretched out and getting him stronger. Encouraged by the start of it just how crisp he was. Latos also is encouraged. But he was upset about how he went away from the game plan and how his good misses turned into mistakes. He allowed home runs to Belt and Miguel Olivo and gave up five hits in his final inning.

8 I kind of backed away from what we were trying to accomplish a little bit there, Latos said. That s not something I want to do. Just kind of let a couple things get to me, a couple cheap hits and everything just kind of imploded. Started to get away from my main focus and hung a breaking ball and hung a slider. While disappointed by the end, Latos liked enough of what he did. He cracked several jokes in his media session and continues to be upbeat about his work with pitching coach Don Cooper. Health didn t appear to be an issue and he got up and down five times. Latos threw 74 pitches and is scheduled to pitch twice more before the regular season. It felt really good, Latos said. Felt really good to get out there. The White Sox took an early 3-0 lead on an RBI double by Jose Abreu, a Melky Cabrera sac fly and an Austin Jackson solo homer. Todd Frazier later singled in a run to cut the Sox deficit to 7-4. Jimmy Rollins tied the score at 7 with a three-run homer in the sixth and Travis Ishikawa s solo shot put the White Sox ahead for good. Tyler Danish lowered his spring ERA to 2.16 with 2 1/3 innings. Nate Jones and Zach Putnam each pitched scoreless frames, too. Jose Abreu in awe as MLB returns to Cuba for exhibition By Dan Hayes / CSN Chicago March 22nd, 2016 GLENDALE, Ariz. -- Jose Abreu s dad temporarily purchased a black and white television the last time a major league team played in Cuba. They couldn t afford to attend the 1999 contest between the Baltimore Orioles and the Cuban national team. But Abreu s father wanted to be able to watch the game with his son, then 12 years old. So it should come as no surprise that the slugger was awed on Tuesday to watch Cuba host the Tampa Bay Rays -- on color a television from the White Sox clubhouse. President Barack Obama attended the game at Estadio Latinoamericano as the United States and Cuba continue to improve diplomatic relations. I am in shock right now, Abreu said through an interpreter. If you slap my face, I can t believe it. That s something great. I think that we never thought that this could happen so soon. Yes, it s a very special, I m very happy because (Cuban Dayron Varona of the Rays) has the opportunity to play. I hope I have the same opportunity some day. The exhibition played is only the second between the countries since Fidel Castro came to power in Abreu would have liked to have played but said he s thrilled to have been part of Major League Baseball s goodwill tour to Havana three months earlier. On that trip, Abreu had a chance to reunite with his son Dariel and see friends and family members he hadn t seen since he left Cuba in The people in Cuba were expecting for this, Abreu said. They are huge baseball fans. They love baseball. This is a huge step for us, for people in Cuba and I want to thank again for President Obama for all of his kindness. He s an outstanding man. For all the effort he has put into this, that s huge for us.

9 Jerry Sands wants to show White Sox what he s got By Dan Hayes / CSN Chicago March 22nd, 2016 GLENDALE, Ariz. -- While he knows his prospects have improved with Adam LaRoche s departure, Jerry Sands said it won t change how he operates. The outfielder/first baseman is one of several candidates vying for the final two spots on the White Sox 25-man roster. His bid to make the team has recently improved after the sudden retirement of LaRoche a week ago. But Sands already knew he d have to prove to the White Sox he s worthy of a roster spot after he they claimed him off waivers on Dec. 23. Sands has hit.242/.257/.545 with three homers and eight RBIs in 33 at-bats this spring. He s one of five players in competition for the final two spots on the roster along with Matt Davidson, Travis Ishikawa, Carlos Sanchez and J.B. Shuck. It doesn t change what I ve been doing, Sands said. Getting claimed off waivers, coming to a new team like I ve been doing the last few years, just coming to camp, show them what I have regardless of the LaRoche situation. Sands said he wanted to work on several aspects of his game in camp --- things that I ve struggled with, he said. One is to remember how to hit the fastball again. Hitting coach Todd Steverson said that skill can get dulled playing at Triple-A as Sands has for much of the past few seasons. You can kind of get off your game, Steverson said. Sadly enough, I used to say it all the time: the hardest thing you need to do coming from Triple-A back to the big leagues is to re-remember how to hit a fastball because they don t throw a whole lot of them down there. White Sox manager Robin Ventura said the fastball hasn t been an issue for Sands this spring. The bigger task in Ventura s mind is for Sands -- who would be an option at first base and in the outfield -- to show improvement against right-handed pitching. Sands has an.846 career OPS against southpaws but only a.569 against righties. He hasn t seen too many righties in the big leagues the last few years, so you d like to see him do that and get an idea about that, Ventura said. As far as swinging the bat and playing the game, he has been great. Sands said he feels comfortable in the outfield and at first base. He felt like he got off to a slow start, but likes how he has swung the bat lately. Even though his chances to make the team have improved, Sands wants to continue to make strides and convince the White Sox. (LaRoche retiring) helps me out a little bit, obviously, for a situation like that, for somebody to benefit from it, Sands said. But at the same point in time, the team is still going to have to go on and play without him. It hasn t changed for me -- if he was here or not, I d still try to do the same thing and show these guys what I got.

10 Avisail Garcia returns to action for White Sox on Tuesday By Dan Hayes / CSN Chicago March 22nd, 2016 GLENDALE, Ariz. The tooth is good. The right wrist is still a little sore. But Avisail Garcia is ready to give it a go Tuesday. The White Sox outfielder is back in the lineup after he was hampered by consecutive days with different maladies. Garcia injured his wrist enough Saturday to require an MRI, which came back negative. A day later, Garcia s tooth hurt him, which required a trip to the dentist for a crown. Though he has a bruise and some soreness, Garcia took batting practice for the first time since he slipped and put too much weight on his wrist after stepping on a base hit he was trying to retrieve. Two days ago it really, really, really hurt, Garcia said. Right now it s good. Nothing is bad. Just a little bruise and sore. That s it. Garcia initially feared a significant injury that might land him on the disabled list. He took four rounds of batting practice on Tuesday and is playing against the San Francisco Giants. He looked all right, White Sox manager Robin Ventura said. I think there s still something there, but he says he s fine. He s staying in the lineup, unless he falls going out to the game and does something. Tuesday s recap: White Sox 8, Giants 7 By Colleen Kane / Chicago Tribune March 22nd, 2016 Jimmy Rollins and Travis Ishikawa each homered in the sixth inning to give the White Sox an 8-7 victory over the Giants at Camelback Ranch on Tuesday. Rollins' three-run shot off Cory Gearrin tied it, and Ishikawa pushed the Sox ahead. At the plate: Batting second between Adam Eaton and Jose Abreu, Rollins was 3-for-4 with three runs scored and three RBIs. On the mound: Sox reliever Nate Jones pitched his fifth straight scoreless inning of spring. Prospect Tyler Danish earned the victory after 2 1/3 scoreless, hitless innings. Injury update: Avisail Garcia was back in the lineup at designated hitter after bruising his right wrist. He said the tooth that needed a crown and kept him out Monday is fine. Key number: 1 Homer for Austin Jackson this spring, a solo shot in the second inning off Jake Peavy. The quote: "We wanted to make sure that if we did throw the fastball that we missed to that side of the plate and not more middle. And that's what happened in the fifth inning, the fastball started getting more middle." Mat Latos on allowing five runs in the fifth inning Up next: Vs. Padres, 3:05 p.m. Wednesday. LH Drew Pomeranz vs. LH John Danks.

11 President Obama: Jose Abreu s separation from son can t be the kind of policies we want to promote By Colleen Kane / Chicago Tribune March 22nd, 2016 President Barack Obama used the story of White Sox first baseman Jose Abreu as an example of the struggles Cuban baseball players face on their journeys to play in the major leagues in an interview with ABC News anchor David Muir. Obama, who is in Cuba to continue his efforts to improve relations between the United States and Cuba, said he had heard the story of Abreu, who left behind his young son, Dariel, when he defected from Cuba in Abreu was reunited with his son when he returned to Cuba on a Major League Baseball goodwill trip in December. An MLB contingent traveled again this week to Havana for an exhibition game between the Rays and the Cuban national team. Here s a guy of immense talent who hadn t seen his son for several years because he felt the only way that he could play in the big leagues and help his family was to be separated from his toddler, Obama said. That can t be the kind of policies we want to promote. My hope is this just becomes one more part of the stitching back together of the United States and Cuba. Abreu said Tuesday it was an honor that Obama spoke of Abreu s story. This is a huge step for us, for people in Cuba and I want to thank again President Obama for all of his kindness, Abreu said through a team interpreter. He s an outstanding man. For all the effort he has put into this, that s huge for us. MLB's tour of Cuba Photos from the MLB's first trip to Cuba since Abreu was just 12 years old the last time an MLB team played in Cuba in 1999, and he remembered his dad going out to buy a black and white TV so that they could watch the game that the Orioles played in. With coverage of the Rays game playing on a TV in the Sox clubhouse Tuesday, Abreu said he was very excited for his country. I am in shock right now, Abreu said. If you slap my face, I can t believe it. That s something great. I think that we never thought that this could happen so soon. Yes, it s very special. Jerry Sands could gain roster spot from Adam LaRoche retirement By Colleen Kane / Chicago Tribune March 22nd, 2016 Jerry Sands' path to making the White Sox roster became easier last week with the departure of Adam LaRoche, but the outfielder and first baseman said he is trying to keep the same approach in the final days of spring training. Sands is in the mix for the Sox's final two roster spots along with infielders Matt Davidson, Travis Ishikawa and Carlos Sanchez and outfielder J.B. Shuck. The Sox have an extra opening after LaRoche retired Friday. "It helps me out a little bit, obviously, but you hate for a situation like that, for somebody to benefit from it," Sands said. "But if he was here or not, I'd still try to do the same thing and show these guys what I've got."

12 Sands, a 28-year-old who joined the Sox off waivers from the Indians in the offseason, has played in 132 career games with the Dodgers, Rays and Indians. He said one of his main focuses this spring is hitting fastballs, and he has hit.250 with three homers and eight RBIs in Cactus League play. "My role is coming off the bench a lot," Sands said. "You get some pretty hard throwers coming out of the bullpen. It's just being aggressive on the fastball." Sox manager Robin Ventura said he is watching how Sands hits right-handed pitchers, as he is a career.292 hitter against left-handers and a career.199 hitter against righties. Ventura also likes Sands' ability to play first base because the Sox need a backup to Jose Abreu. Eye on Cuba: In an interview with ABC News anchor David Muir, President Barack Obama used Abreu as an example of the struggles Cuban baseball players face on their journeys to play in the major leagues. Abreu went more than two years without seeing his son after he defected from Cuba in 2013, but they were reunited briefly when Abreu returned on a Major League Baseball goodwill trip in December. Obama was speaking on the topic from Cuba as he continues his efforts to improve relations between the United States and the island nation. He attended an exhibition between the Rays and the Cuban national team Tuesday. "Here's a guy of immense talent who hadn't seen his son for several years because he felt the only way that he could play in the big leagues and help his family was to be separated from his toddler," Obama said. "That can't be the kind of policies we want to promote. My hope is this just becomes one more part of the stitching back together of the United States and Cuba." Abreu said it was "an honor" that Obama spoke of his story. Abreu, 29, was 12 years old the last time an MLB team played in Cuba, and he remembered his dad buying a black and white TV so they could watch the game with the Orioles. With coverage of the Rays' game playing on TV in the Sox clubhouse, Abreu said he was "very excited" for his country. "I am in shock right now," Abreu said through a team interpreter. "If you slap my face, I can't believe it. We never thought that this could happen so soon. It's very special." Mat Latos got away from White Sox plan during embarrassing inning By Colleen Kane / Chicago Tribune March 22nd, 2016 White Sox right-hander Mat Latos knew that he might experience hiccups when making his first Cactus League start more than a month into spring training. He was pleased with his results in the first four innings of his outing against the Giants at Camelback Ranch, but he said he lost his cool during the Giants' five-run fifth inning. Latos gave up two-run homers to Brandon Belt and Miguel Olivo and said he got away from his game plan when he became frustrated by "a couple of cheap hits." "I didn't expect it to be a complete explosion that was embarrassing," Latos said. "A dumb move by me just getting out of what I wanted to accomplish, and that's not the game plan. We don't want to get aggravated when we're out there. I kind of let it get me, and that was a dumb, selfish mistake, and we'll progress (from) there."

13 Over 4 1/3 innings, Latos gave up seven earned runs on 11 hits with four strikeouts. Part of Latos' challenge was harnessing the energy that came with his first real spring game. He has been doing his work in side sessions, simulated games and B games. "I didn't expect the first pitch to be a strike with all the adrenaline I had when I first took the mound," Latos said. "It's completely different. Back there you face minor-league guys. It's not really a bad thing, you just look at it like 'OK, I'm here to get my work in.' When you're (in the stadium) you're here to compete with guys who have proven themselves and know what they're doing." Sox manager Robin Ventura said he was encouraged by how "crisp" Latos looked through the first four innings and said he thought fatigue might have been a factor late. With less than two weeks to go before the season opener, he said he believes Latos has enough time to prepare for his regular-season debut. "He just has to get stronger and get deeper in the game," Ventura said. White Sox 8, Giants 7: Back-to-back HRs key rally By Patrick Finley / Chicago Sun-Times March 22nd, 2016 GLENDALE, Ariz. Shortstop Jimmy Rollins three-run homer was followed immediately by Travis Ishikawa s solo shot, and the White Sox used a sixth-inning rally to beat the Giants, 8-7, Tuesday at Camelback Ranch. Former White Sox pitcher Jake Peavy gave up four runs in 4 2/3 innings, including a solo home run to centerfielder Austin Jackson his first of the spring. Avi returns Outfielder Avisail Garcia returned Tuesday for the first time since bruising his right wrist after falling Saturday. He served as the team s DH even though manager Robin Ventura said he could feel the injury during a pregame batting cage session. Garcia went 0-for-4. Two days ago it really, really, really hurt, said Garcia, who had a MRI turn up negative. Right now it s good. Garcia had a root canal, too, but said his now-capped tooth was feeling better, too Who s hitting second? Ventura wouldn t commit to one player hitting in the No. 2 spot, listing Lawrie, Jackson, Rollins and Melky Cabrera as veterans with experience. I think that will continue to move around a little bit, he said. I don t think it s going to be a set-in-stone, He s the no. 2 guy. Anybody s the No. 2 guy. DH talk Ventura will likely cycle an outfielder through the DH spot vacated by Adam LaRoche when the season starts, but he hasn t ruled out a more unconventional move: putting a catcher there on occasion. Ventura said the fact second baseman Brett Lawrie and shortstop Tyler Saladino can play catcher in an emergency gives him a backup plan in case one, or both, catchers are injured or ejected in a game.

14 On deck Padres at Sox, 3:05 p.m. Drew Pomeranz vs. John Danks Blond ambition: White Sox pitcher Mat Latos frustrated by 5th By Patrick Finley / Chicago Sun-Times March 22nd, 2016 GLENDALE, Ariz. Golden-haired, Mat Latos is allowed to make the joke. A dumb move by me, he said. A blonde moment, if you will Following his first Cactus League start Tuesday, the White Sox right-hander attributed his fifth-inning meltdown to flightiness and also frustration. He went away from the game plan against the Giants: that if he was going to miss, to do so low and away. After allowing only two runs through four innings, he gave up five in the fifth, including two homers: Brandon Belt s towering shot over the right-field wall and Miguel Olivo s liner over the left-field fence. He was removed after recording only two outs in the fifth. That was a selfish error on my part and the fifth inning was really getting away from the game plan, he said. And I ve got to wear that and I gotta get back out here and make sure I don t do that again. Overall, he was tagged for 11 hits and seven runs, striking out four and walking none in 4 2/3 innings. Let s be honest, it was a couple cheap hits, couple broken-bat singles, balls just found holes that led to a couple earlier runs, he said. I kind of backed away from what we were trying to accomplish a little bit there. That s not something I want to do. Latos said Tuesday his left knee, which he had drained last season, felt fine. He claimed the same about his stamina, though he admitted to feeling exited to pitch in front of a paying audience for the first time this spring. Latos had thrown only to minor leaguers while in camp. I didn t expect the first pitch to be a strike, he said, with all the adrenaline I had when I first took the mound. Nonetheless, Latos, signed to a one-year, $3 million deal this offseason, seems to be the favorite for the fifth-starter spot. Manager Robin Ventura said there was time left for him to get ready for the season. I think it s just getting him back out here and getting him stretched out and getting him stronger, Ventura said. Encouraged by the start of it, just how crisp he looked. Delighted by Cuba exhibition, Jose Abreu in shock right now By Patrick Finley / Chicago Sun-Times March 22nd, 2016 GLENDALE, Ariz. The game was their reason to buy a television. Jose Abreu s family wanted so badly to see the Orioles exhibition in Cuba in 1999 that they bought a black-and-white set. He still doesn t know how his father found the money, but it was easier than scoring tickets. The first baseman told the story Tuesday and looked up from his locker at Camelback Ranch. In the corners of the White Sox clubhouse, in full color and on comically large screens, was his homeland again.

15 Tuesday, for the first time since 1999, a Major League Baseball team the Rays played an exhibition game in Cuba. Barack Obama, who invoked Abreu s story during the lead-up to the game, sat behind home plate, the first President to visit the country in 88 years. It was, to Abreu, nothing short of amazing. I am in shock right now, he said through his translator, Billy Russo. If you slap my face, I can t believe it. Abreu left Cuba in 2013 and in December returned for the first time as part of an MLB delegation. He saw his son, 5-year-old Dariel Eduardo, for the first time in more than two years. The visit helped streamline the process toward a game against the Cuban national team at Estadio Latinoamerica in Havana, which also hosted the Orioles exhibition. That s something great, Abreu said. I think that we never thought that this could happen so soon. On Monday, Obama detailed Abreu s story to ABC. The White Sox fan spoke with amazement that Abreu left a toddler to pursue his profession, and hoped that no longer requiring Cuban players to denounce their government upon leaving the island would help the stitching back together of the two countries. Similarly, Abreu said his goal every day is to become a dual citizen. The people in Cuba were expecting this, Abreu said. They are huge baseball fans. They love baseball. This is a huge step for us, for people in Cuba and I want to thank again for President Obama for all of his kindness. He s an outstanding man. For all the effort he has put into this, that s huge for us. Abreu praised the Rays for bringing minor-league outfielder Dayron Varona, who grew up in Cuba, to play in front of his family. I don t think people realize how important that is for us, he said. Abreu wants to be part of a game in Havana one day. Robin Ventura has been there, playing five games in Cuba in 1987 as a member of the USA national team. It was a different (experience) than the ones these guys are having, for sure, the White Sox manager said. It was fun. They love baseball down there, and I think it s great they get to experience our guys going down there and playing. I think it s great. I know Jose s interested. He wants to watch a little bit of it on TV. I actually played in that stadium before. I just want to see what it looks like. It was undoubtedly different than the stadium Abreu watched, on a small black-and-white television, when he was 12. It was oddly the same, too. The only thing that I want people to know is that those guys there are human beings, he said. They are trying to give the best every day to make the best baseball That s all that I expect for people to understand. They are human beings, no matter what the situation, who are trying to get the best of them and try to get the best they can in life.

16 Avisail Garcia returns to White Sox lineup after wrist injury By Patrick Finley / Chicago Sun-Times March 22nd, 2016 GLENDALE, Ariz. With a capped tooth and a healing wrist, Avisail Garcia is scheduled to play Tuesday for the first time in three days. The White Sox outfielder slipped on a baseball on the warning track Saturday and braced himself as he fell, bruising his right wrist. An MRI was negative, leaving him with soreness he will play through against the Giants at Camelback Ranch. Garcia will bat sixth and DH so he won t test it in the field. Two days ago it really, really, really hurt, he said. Right now it s good. Garcia planned to hit in the cage before Tuesday s game and test out his wrist. He was worried at first the injury was more than a bruise. I m going to see how I throw and how I hit, he said. But I feel better now. Garcia was recovering from a root canal, too. They put the crown on, they cleaned it out, he said with a smile. Everything is good. Danks long run with Chicago White Sox nearing end Scot Gregor / Daily Herald March 22nd, 2016 Heading into spring training, the Chicago White Sox were saddled with two bad contracts. One is off the books, and you've probably heard all about Adam LaRoche opting to retire and forfeit his $13 million salary this season after White Sox vice president Kenny Williams asked the designated hitter to scale back his son's presence in the clubhouse. John Danks is still with the White Sox, and he'll collect $14.25 million in the final season of his five-year, $65 million contract. "It's strange," the 30-year-old Danks said. "It's happened just like that. It wasn't that long ago where I was the young guy, taking orders from (Mark) Buehrle and (Jon) Garland and guys like that. It's living a dream. I'm a very blessed and fortunate person." Unfortunately for Danks, he is not close to being the same pitcher he was when he signed the deal. In 2012, his season was cut short by shoulder surgery, and the left-hander's effectiveness has not made it all the way back. Danks was limited to 9 starts in 2013 after he returned from surgery, and the velocity on his fastball was noticeably lower. The heat never returned, so Danks converted himself into a deceptive starter, and the changeup now has become his out pitch. Unfortunately -- again -- Danks frequently elevates changeup and pays the price. Over the last two seasons, Danks has allowed 49 home runs. In the American League, only Jeremy Guthrie (52), Jered Weaver (51), R.A. Dickey (51), Colby Lewis (51) and Wei-Yin Chen (51) have allowed more.

17 On the positive side, Danks takes the ball every fifth day and he eats up innings. Last season, the lefty made 30 or more starts for the fifth time in his career while going 7-15 with a 4.71 ERA. Here's what Fangraphs.com has to say about Danks: "He is what he is: A six strikeout per nine guy who walks about half as many and pitches to the league average in strand rate, batting average on balls in play, and home run per fly ball rate." This is going to be his final season with the White Sox, and Danks figures to be the No. 5 starter. Last Friday, Danks pitched against the Cubs and delivered 5 scoreless innings and 7 strikeouts. Before that, he pitched 9⅔ Cactus League innings and allowed 13 runs on 13 hits. "Like I said all along, we're all competitive and all have pride and all want to do well," Danks told reporters after facing the Cubs. "But most of us that have been around understand that there's a bigger picture to spring training, and it's a good opportunity to get out there and work on something that will help you during the summer. Of course, it feels good to go out there and have a successful outing and throw the ball where you want, and it's just a step in the right direction." Levine: Mat Latos showcases his good, then too much of the bad By Bruce Levine / CBS Chicago March 22nd, 2016 GLENDALE, Ariz. (CBS) For likely White Sox No. 4 starter Mat Latos, it was a case of the good, the bad and the ugly Tuesday. After four competitive innings of good pitch selection and fastball command in which he allowed two runs, the roof fell in on Latos, as he surrendered five runs in the fifth inning against the Giants. He finished with an ugly stat line, allowing seven runs, all earned on 11 hits in 4 2/3 innings. Innings one to four, we executed our game plan, Latos said. In the fifth inning, I let a couple of things get to me. A couple of cheap hits, and then I started to get away from my main focus. I hung a slider, and it cost me. Latos signed a one-year, $3-million in early February. Since that time, he has worked on conditioning and command in B games prior to his first Cactus League outing Tuesday. This wasn t bad for my first big league outing, Latos said. The fifth inning was real terrible, one through four was really good. I expected some things but not a complete explosion. That was kind of bad. I am healthy, my knee feels good. I think one through four gives you a better idea how I feel. Latos has a rotation spot in hand, as he and left-hander John Danks will fill the fourth and fifth slots in some order. Latos has enjoyed his work with pitching coach Don Cooper so far and remains positive despite Tuesday s rough outing. Everything is great with him, said Latos, who averaged mph Tuesday. He challenges me on a day-to-day basis. I have taken a lot of what he gives me into that game today. Just a selfish,stupid mistake on my end (in hanging a slider), is just something I have to correct. That is not (usually) me. That might have been me in the past. Everybody has hiccups now and again. That won t happen again. Latos was 4-10 with a 4.95 ERA in 2015 in time split between the Marlins and Dodgers. On Tuesday, an NL West scout thought Latos appeared to run out of gas in his poor fifth inning, saying his fastball was quality before then as he was also mixing the cutter and slider in while looking competitive.