GOODYEAR, Ariz. — The White Sox didn’t enter spring training with many roster decisions to make, but nearly a month into camp general manager Rick Hahn remains confident he has the tools he needs to make those still looming — from second base and catcher to the bullpen and bench.
That has left Hahn in a pretty good state of mind — as long as trainer Herm Schneider doesn’t call with any more injury reports to add to left-hander Chris Sale’s fractured foot, he said.
“Where we do have some decisions to make, we have quality options,” Hahn said. “Guys are showing us they belong in the big leagues if they’re healthy or they have the ability to help our club. For me, it’s all about getting to April 6 healthy.”
The Sox made their first spring decisions Wednesday, sending 13 players to minor-league camp. The most notable were those optioned to Triple-A Charlotte: third baseman Matt Davidson, infielder Tyler Saladino, catchers Adrian Nieto and Kevan Smith and outfielder Trayce Thompson.
A Rule 5 draft pick before the 2014 season, Nieto spent the year as Sox backup catcher to Tyler Flowers. He never had played higher than Class A, and this move should give him more game time.
“The everyday part of it is a big deal for a catcher,” Sox manager Robin Ventura said. “Last year was a big learning curve for him, but he didn’t get the at-bats he really needed to continue his development.”
The offseason additions of catchers Geovany Soto, Rob Brantly and George Kottaras made the move possible. Catcher has been a question mark, but Hahn, who places much emphasis on their work with pitchers, said the Sox are comfortable they have the right options to fill the position adequately alongside Flowers, who has gone just 2-for-19 this spring.
Soto hit his first homer of the spring Wednesday against the Reds.
“Soto has swung the bat well, and the pitchers are enjoying how he’s calling the game,” Hahn said. “Brantly has showed us a good swing, a good approach offensively. … And obviously Georgie has a real track record.”
Davidson had a rough time in his first season in Charlotte, and while he went only 2-for-14 this spring while hampered by shoulder soreness, Hahn is not ready to write him off — and not ready to judge the 2013 trade that sent former closer Addison Reed to the Diamondbacks “because that wouldn’t be a good trade.” Hahn said Davidson is in the right place mentally and mechanically for a turnaround.
Hahn also was pleased with Saladino, who is coming back from elbow surgery, and Thompson.
“We feel both could help us in Chicago should the need arise,” Hahn said.
The Sox also optioned right-handers Raul Fernandez and Michael Ynoa to Double-A Birmingham. They assigned infielders Dan Black, Andy LaRoche and Tim Anderson, right-handers J.D. Martin and Tyler Danish and outfielder Jared Mitchell to minor-league camp.
The Sox continue to let the other roster questions play out — sending out Micah Johnson and Carlos Sanchez to compete at second base, watching the bullpen shake out and determining which bench player is the right compliment to the rest of the roster. That also includes determining whether left-hander Carlos Rodon will start the season with the Sox despite having pitched just 24-2/3 professional innings.
“I think it’s a lot to ask of anybody, but we haven’t closed the door to it,” Hahn said. “It’s why he’s still here. We want to give him the opportunity to work with (pitching coach Don Cooper) and get repetitions at the big-league level and see everything it entails.”
As for the health that worries Hahn, the Sox will use Thursday’s day off to repair.
Adam Eaton was given a second straight sick day Wednesday, and designated hitter Adam LaRoche also took the game off because of a lower back issue that has bothered him at times, according to Ventura. He said LaRoche could have played, but it was a good time for him to sit.
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