With Spring Training now entering its third day, here are the storylines that you may have missed from Thursday.
White Sox reliever Kendall Graveman met with the media for the first time and commented on a variety of topics including Liam Hendriks’ cancer diagnosis, the disappointing 2022 season, playing in the World Baseball Classic, and Mike Clevinger’s ongoing investigation.
Kendall Graveman says that Anthony Rizzo (a cancer survivor) reached out to him asking for Liam Hendriks’ phone number after hearing about Liam’s cancer diagnosis.
— Chuck Garfien (@ChuckGarfien) February 16, 2023
More Graveman on Liam Hendriks: "… And then the baseball stuff, he’s going to be who he is on the field. Let’s get this behind you first and then we’ll go play ball. We’ll lock arms off the field, too."
— Scott Merkin (@scottmerkin) February 16, 2023
Kendall Graveman got emotional talking about playing for the USA in the WBC. “I’m humbled honestly by the thought that they’d even mention me in the same category as some of those guys. It’s emotional to me to represent this country, to put on that jersey. It’s going to be fun.”
— Chuck Garfien (@ChuckGarfien) February 16, 2023
Kendall Graveman on bad 2022: "Sometimes you need to get hit in the mouth a little bit to realize maybe we’re not as good as we thought we were, and we need to really focus a little more to get better."
— Daryl Van Schouwen (@CST_soxvan) February 16, 2023
When asked about Mike Clevinger’s message to the team to open camp and the potential effect of the ongoing MLB investigation, Graveman said the following (courtesy Vinnie Duber/Twitter):
” I thought it was very professional of Mike to speak in front of the team. Obviously, I don’t have much to say about it. I want to see how the rest of it plays out. Mike did an outstanding job articulating and communicating to us yesterday, I will say that. I played with Mike one summer in the (Cape Cod League), … so I have a prior relationship with Mike. I told him “thanks” afterward for speaking to the team, because some people would not do that. I’m thankful that he’s a guy that did stand up and had some things to say to us. That was (professional) him.”
“Allegations are allegations until proven (othewise). I’m going to let MLB finalize what they’re doing. I’m off social media and all the other stuff, so for me to draw a conclusion without any facts or details or anything is unfair to him and any party involved. That’s my personal view of it, and I’m going to try to be the best teammate I possibly can to him.”
Moncada on playing for Cuba in the WBC:
— James Fegan (@JRFegan) February 16, 2023
"That’s something that I dreamed about it ever since I was in Cuba and just to play with the Cuban National team is something I really wanted to do. I would say yes to everything they asked me. This is an honor and a great opportunity."
Moncada on Abreu's departure. Moncada has now moved to Abreu's old ST locker: "That’s part of the business. That was a decision that wasn’t in our hands. I’m very thankful for all the help that he gave me and gave us as a team."
— Scott Merkin (@scottmerkin) February 16, 2023
More Moncada on Abreu: "We would like to have him here but that’s how it is. He did a lot of good things for us and we are going to miss him."
— Scott Merkin (@scottmerkin) February 16, 2023
Moncada: "I’m feeling very good right now, and hopefully that is going to translate into a successful season. Not just for me but for the team."
— Scott Merkin (@scottmerkin) February 16, 2023
More Moncada on Abreu: "We would like to have him here but that’s how it is. He did a lot of good things for us and we are going to miss him."
— Scott Merkin (@scottmerkin) February 16, 2023
Moncada on if he has something to prove this year: "Honestly, yes, but let’s wait and see once the games start and how things go. But honestly yes."
— Scott Merkin (@scottmerkin) February 16, 2023
Rick Hahn yesterday on the now José Abreu-less Sox:
— Vinnie Duber (@VinnieDuber) February 16, 2023
"You're never going to hear from anyone with the White Sox anything other than José is missed. But that doesn't mean that we can't still have a damn good team, even if he's not here."
Joe Kelly on new teammate Mike Clevinger: pic.twitter.com/8JnC8jdQIL
— Daryl Van Schouwen (@CST_soxvan) February 16, 2023
“I don’t know anything about the allegations. I don’t really keep up with all that. I know for him it’s probably weighing on his mind every single second or minute. It’s something that, I went through the same thing when I was on the team with Trevor Bauer and you kind of just got to let things play out and ultimately let whoever makes those decisions determine those outcomes. Like I said, I don’t really go and try to talk to guys who have been through that … I just let the time take its course and see the outcome.”
“For him standing up in front of a group of … I don’t know how many of us are here … let’s just say 40 (players). As a first time meeting someone, it showed me a lot there.”
Dylan Cease’s mustache has reported to Sox camp pic.twitter.com/D65wlb3W62
— Vinnie Duber (@VinnieDuber) February 16, 2023
Cease on his painting: "I enjoy it. I suppose it’s pretty therapeutic. It’s fun. I guess it’s kind of like a different version of video games."
— Scott Merkin (@scottmerkin) February 16, 2023
Cease won't be doing any painting in Spring Training, but will pick it up again in the regular season.
— Scott Merkin (@scottmerkin) February 16, 2023
Cease: "I feel more confident in the sense I don’t feel like I have to go throw 98 my first outing. I can kind of take it easy and focus on command and ramp up. At the end of the day I trust it’s going to be there."
— Scott Merkin (@scottmerkin) February 16, 2023
Cease pic.twitter.com/xFYKc7O8MS
— Scott Merkin (@scottmerkin) February 17, 2023
Dylan Cease explains his decision not to pitch for Team USA in the WBC.
— Chuck Garfien (@ChuckGarfien) February 17, 2023
Cease also talks about his slider, his new changeup, and a lot more on the White Sox Talk Podcast. https://t.co/NZkLwcFUn6 pic.twitter.com/gTj0IdZLJw
Dylan Cease shows us his slider grip and describes the pitch he threw to Willson Contreras last year that showed him the pitcher he could be.
— Chuck Garfien (@ChuckGarfien) February 17, 2023
“I was like, ‘That’s it right there.’ It was nasty.”
Cease on the White Sox Talk Podcast: https://t.co/NZkLwcFUn6 pic.twitter.com/r1ysqt0KAw
"I've been impressed with Moncada since I got hired," Grifol said. "He's returned every call, answered every text. Got here early, he's in shape. Hungry for information. He's been available. He's asked questions. He's developing a relationship with Eddie Rodriguez which is huge' pic.twitter.com/6Da80K97HE
— Daryl Van Schouwen (@CST_soxvan) February 16, 2023
Pedro Grifol said he's seen a few Michael Kopech bullpens so far, since the right-hander reported early.
— James Fegan (@JRFegan) February 16, 2023
He doesn't seem to see any issues after Kopech underwent right knee surgery late last season.
"He’s on pace. He’s in a good spot."
"The energy was really good," Pedro Grifol said of today's on-field work. "That's really important to me. As long as the effort's good, I'm happy."
— Daryl Van Schouwen (@CST_soxvan) February 16, 2023
Asked Pedro Grifol if he wants to have a set closer going into the season.
— James Fegan (@JRFegan) February 16, 2023
His answer could probably be boiled down to "we'll see," but he talked through some of his reasons for being flexible. He also said "I'm a big leverage guy." pic.twitter.com/oLlXY5Zf54
Locked in. pic.twitter.com/tsA8Bc22fG
— Chicago White Sox (@whitesox) February 17, 2023
Some slomo Dylan Cease throwing today in Arizona. pic.twitter.com/eSy78xytV7
— Chuck Garfien (@ChuckGarfien) February 16, 2023
See if you can spot a difference pic.twitter.com/WgS4r90oRw
— James Fegan (@JRFegan) February 16, 2023
That's some GOOD stuff. pic.twitter.com/Ysl9mywh4x
— Chicago White Sox (@whitesox) February 16, 2023
Yasmani Grandal pic.twitter.com/FSvA0mZnfQ
— Daryl Van Schouwen (@CST_soxvan) February 16, 2023
The future pic.twitter.com/QCWQuOAQL1
— Scott Merkin (@scottmerkin) February 16, 2023
We really like the sound of this. pic.twitter.com/sARvLFX1cB
— Chicago White Sox (@whitesox) February 16, 2023
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