DETROIT — Liam Hendriks threw live batting practice Friday at Comerica Park, possibly a final step before joining the White Sox for his season debut after a bout with cancer.
The Sox closer threw 19 pitches to Elvis Andrus, Adam Haseley and Seby Zavala. Aside from a ground ball to the third base side of second base by the left-handed hitting Haseley, contact was limited.
“His numbers were really good,” manager Pedro Grifol said. “He ticked up from Cleveland. Really good step in the right direction.”
This could be Hendriks’ last box to check, but Grifol stressed Hendriks won’t be rushed. Hendriks had his last round of chemotherapy April 3.
Hendriks made six appearances with Triple-A Charlotte, allowing six earned runs in five innings. This was his third live BP.
“We’ll sit down and evaluate it as an organization and see what our next step is,” Grifol said.
“He’s filling up the zone and getting some outs,” Zavala said. “The stuff looks good. I think it comes down now to how he feels.
“You talk to him, he says he’s feeling good.”
Burger working at second
Jake Burger worked at second base before the game with coach Eddie Rodriguez. It’s not known when Burger, a third baseman, will play second base but he’s getting ready for an assignment.
“He’s very, very serviceable,” Rodriguez said. “It may look different to the naked eye but he has some athleticism and he’s able to do what’s required.
“He’s just getting the fundamentals down.”
Going back on pop-ups and moving to both sides on ground balls left to right shouldn’t be an issue.
“He’s done that at third,” Rodriguez said. “It’s making sure we tidy up things for turning the double play. It’s crucial, it’s two for one, two outs on one swing and we have to be prepared for that and confident enough for him to do it. His hands work, his feet work good and he has enough arm.”
Burger’s stolen base
Burger runs well for his thick frame, and he was more than happy to talk about his first stolen base since college against the Tigers Thursday. He stole second and scored on Tim Anderson’s single.
“Crazy. I was texting my buddies about it, they were like ‘it had to be a backside, first and second steal,’ ’’ he said. “I was like, ‘no, it was straight.’ I sent them the video. And it felt good. Won’t let Gavin Sheets hear the end of it.”
Clevinger on pace
Right-hander Mike Clevinger said he’s slated to throw a bullpen Saturday in Detroit and live batting practice a couple days after that in Chicago. If all goes to plan, Clevinger could come off the injured list to face the Tigers on June 2.
That would land him in his spot in the rotation, which was filled by opener Jimmy Lambert for one inning and Jesse Scholtens for five Monday in Cleveland. Grifol could go with the same plan Friday.
This and that
Eloy Jimenez could return from his rehab assignment at Double-A Birmingham Monday. Grifol said he only cares about how Jimenez feels, not his results in the minor league games, and says Jimenez “feels great.”
*Outfielder Jake Marisnick accepted his assignment and was outrighted to Triple-A Charlotte. Marisnick was designated for assignment Sunday when Clint Frazier’s contract was selected from Charlotte.
