GLENDALE -- The worst news for the White Sox on Friday was not the temperatures in the high 40s, or the non-stop rain canceling their Cactus League contest with the Cubs at Camelback Ranch.
Instead, the team announced that pitchers Prelander Berroa and Juan Carela will undergo season-ending Tommy John surgery in the coming days, performed by Dr. Keith Meister.
“It's a tough one,” White Sox manager Will Venable said. “These guys were fighting all offseason to come into camp in great shape and certainly did a great job of working hard. And it's just tough to see.
“But we know that they'll attack their rehabs the right way. They'll be back before you know it.”
Berroa suffered the injury in the first Cactus League game of this season, leaving mid-inning at Sloan Park. Rest was the original recommendation for the right-hander before undergoing new imaging this week. Losing Berroa cuts into the team’s late-inning relief plans, as he was in the mix after a strong finish to the 2024 season when he posted a 1.80 ERA over 12 September games.
“So it's a tough blow, but like we said, hopefully these guys get back on track here sooner than later,” Venable said. “There's opportunity for guys. … We talked about that all camp with these guys. We know that there will continue to be opportunities. There's one more spot for somebody to step into.”
Mike Clevinger, who has been discussed as a possible closer option since joining the White Sox via a Minor League deal on February 21, will make his 2025 Cactus League debut on Sunday against the Guardians in Goodyear. But Venable didn’t sound close to declaring any one pitcher as his set ninth-inning option, partially because they don’t really have a clear-cut favorite with that sort of experience.
“I don't know what the benefit of that is for right now,” Venable said. “There's potential for our best reliever to pitch in the seventh or eighth inning, depending on how the game unfolds.
“We're going to lean on all these guys to get outs, and how their roles kind of organically formulate during the year, so be it. But I don't think, really at any point, we'll be declaring a closer.”
Adams ready to start
After posting a 2.92 ERA in 23 games (22 starts) for Double-A Birmingham and Triple-A Charlotte last season, No. 12 prospect Mason Adams is trying to build off that strong showing within his first Major League camp.
“Just keep trying to refine what I’m good at and work on the stuff I’m not good at,” Adams said with a smile. “I’d say I’m pretty good at being able to locate all my pitches in the zone. Being able to expand when I get to two strikes.”
Where does Adams need improvement? The 25-year-old right-hander laughed and said there’s always room to work on everything. Adams, who will start Sunday against the Guardians with Sean Burke pitching in a Minor League game, added a cutter to his vast repertoire this offseason and has been dialing in that pitch as best as possible.
“I like where it’s at,” Adams said. “Thought it would be a good idea, being able to get in on lefties and front hip too. Opens up a lot more options.”
Leasure moves on from ‘24
Jordan Leasure went through the highs and lows of his rookie 2024 season, finishing with a 6.32 ERA over 33 games. He has pretty much put that past season behind him as he competes for a bullpen spot in ‘25.
“I took what I could from it, a lot of good, a lot of bad and now I’m just focused on this year. I haven’t thought too much about it,” Leasure said. “Kind of learned a lot about how I can succeed in the big leagues and learned about how I can fail in the big leagues and how to deal.
“There’s a lot that happened. Most importantly I learned how to stay healthy and what I need to do to be able to pitch every night if I get called on.”
Getting stronger and getting his body into a spot for the whole season was Leasure’s priority going into Spring Training.
“Then, it’s really honing in on command of all my pitches,” said Leasure, who has fanned five in three hitless innings so far this spring. “Mostly the fastball and just keep attacking hitters.
“Last year I got away from attacking hitters a little, trying to avoid getting hit. So far this spring I’ve been trying to make them hit it and attacking with my stuff.”