Brebbia ditches walking boot ahead of side session
GLENDALE, Ariz. -- White Sox reliever John Brebbia is slated to throw a side session on Thursday, marking a step forward for the veteran right-hander who’s dealing with a right calf strain.
Brebbia has ditched the mobility scooter and walking boot being used for a week and is comfortably moving around.
“The scooter and the boot were extra precautions,” Brebbia said. “I never really felt all that terrible, but it was hey, can’t be moving around much kind of thing. I’m happy to be out of those, walking around.
“It feels good so far. Progressing as it should. Every day I get to do a little bit more, a little bit more. Keep hoping until I’m in full blown sprints, cuts and not have to worry about anything bad happening.”
Despite the injury setback, Brebbia threw every day. He smiled and admitted the boot hindered the throwing a little bit, but it was the boot and not the injury.
There was uncertainty on Brebbia’s part as to how many Cactus League games he’ll need to be ready for Opening Day, having never dealt with a Spring Training hampered by a physical malady.
“That’s a good question. The best indicator for me is how I bounce back after outings,” Brebbia said. “Once you go two-out-of-three or back-to-back, which generally happens at the end of spring, like, ‘Oh, OK, this is how I normally feel in season or else it’s just a tick more sore than in-season.’
“That’s my barometer for like, ‘Cool let’s start.’ I’ve never done a back-to-back right out of the gate in Spring Training so I couldn’t tell you about that. But it’s usually a small handful of outings, four or five outings before it’s, ‘OK, let’s do it. Let’s do two out of three,’ and I haven’t had any issues.”
Iguchi returns
Tadahito Iguchi was in White Sox camp on Wednesday, with Yoshinobu Yamamoto starting for the Dodgers in their 12-9 Cactus League victory. The second baseman for the 2005 World Series champion White Sox has noticed a change in Japan in regards to baseball with Yamamoto and Shohei Ohtani, the reigning American League Most Valuable Player, now part of the Dodgers.
“In Japan, last year, every baseball fan was red. But now they change the color to the [Dodger] blue,” Iguchi said through an interpreter. “Everyone is wearing the blue.”
Iguchi, 49, looks as if he still could play a solid second base, but he instead begins his second year as a studio analyst on television. The White Sox are bringing back SoxFest in January 2025, in part to honor the 20-year anniversary of the ‘05 World Series champions. And Iguchi will be in attendance after playing such an integral role on that dominant team.
“I’m really looking forward to it, coming back to Chicago,” Iguchi said. “That [World Series] championship came in my rookie year and with such wonderful teammates. That’s the best memories for me in Chicago.”
A smiling Iguchi paused and added in Japanese, “and the manager,” referring to Ozzie Guillen.
‘B’ ready
Nick Nastrini, ranked as the No. 6 White Sox prospect by MLB Pipeline, and Jonathan Cannon, who checks in at No. 8, will each throw two innings in a ‘B’ game against the Reds on Thursday. Jake Eder, the club's No. 7 prospect, also is on the list to pitch for Chicago.