Notes: Giolito in sync; Hendriks wants to hit?

GLENDALE, Ariz. -- Lucas Giolito looked Opening Day-ready with his three hitless innings thrown against the Rockies during a 1-0 loss in seven innings Sunday at Camelback Ranch. He struck out two and walked one.

The right-hander even showed off a little of that regular-season fire, pumping his fist and yelling support to catcher Yermín Mercedes after Mercedes threw out Ryan Vilade trying to steal second to end the third. But Giolito still has work left in Arizona, aside from building up innings and pitch counts. Part of that to-do list is establishing a relationship with all the White Sox catchers. He threw to Jonathan Lucroy in his first Cactus League start.

“I'll obviously be throwing to [Yasmani Grandal] once he gets healthy again, but being prepared, having a game plan with every single catcher, because we don't know who's going to win the backup role,” Giolito said. “Depending on what happens during the year, I might be throwing to a couple of guys.

“Today was great. Mercedes was awesome back there, bringing the energy, throwing that guy out to end the third inning. Another thing was like today, really working on the offspeed pitches, throwing offspeed pitches to locations. It might be a little bit different, trying new things, mixing in the slider a good amount. Just going to keep working on all that.”

Giolito spoke about “pitching backwards” Sunday, “trying to get as many sliders in as I can, within reason.”

Hendriks wants a hit

Liam Hendriks threw one scoreless inning, striking out two, during the White Sox Sunday morning B game against the Dodgers. But after his White Sox debut, the engaging closer wanted to talk as much about his hitting as he did about his pitching.

Hendriks flashed a number of poses with a bat during one segment of White Sox photo day, pictures the White Sox official Twitter account tweeted. Although relievers rarely get to the plate, especially American League relievers, Hendriks has a simple goal as far his offense is concerned -- one career hit.

“I've got, what, one year left before potentially having the league-wide DH? So I've got one year left to try and get that first hit,” Hendriks said on a Sunday Zoom. “All I want is one. I just want one hit. I want the ball, I want to put it on my wall, and that's it.

“Plus, my nickname -- back before I signed as a reliever, I almost signed as an outfielder -- but my swing name was 'Ugly Power' because, apparently, I didn't use my hips. But I could hit a little bit.”

There have been three plate appearances in Hendriks’ career, with a strikeout, a walk and reaching on an error against Pirates starter James McDonald on June 21, 2012.

“I’ve got a very hard-pressed error. A ball in the six-hole that should have been a hit because, I don’t show off the speed much, but it’s there,” Hendriks said. “You’ve got to have fun with it. I’m not out there trying to impress anybody. I’m just trying to enjoy my life and have fun playing this game.”

Third to first

• Left-handed reliever Aaron Bummer made his Cactus League debut, as well, in Sunday’s B game, striking out one in a scoreless frame.

“I was happy to get out there and face their hitters, work on things, throw to Lucroy and get more familiar with him,” Bummer said. “Overall a good day for the first time. Hopefully getting into a game soon.”

• Tuesday’s game against the Padres at Camelback Ranch will be the White Sox first nine-inning Cactus League game in 2021. Blake Snell starts for the Padres against Lance Lynn.

• Andrew Vaughn went through a special drill with Hall of Famer Jim Thome after doing his normal work with hitting coach Frank Menechino Sunday, according to manager Tony La Russa. Thome, who is an assistant to the White Sox general manager, raved about Vaughn’s effort, and La Russa remains equally impressed.

“Yeah, that’s an easy read. He’s solid as an oak,” said La Russa of Vaughn. “This guy’s got it all between the ears. He’s going to have an outstanding career. I would like to be his agent.”

• Grandal, sidelined while working through a right knee issue sustained when the catcher twisted it on Feb. 24 during running drills, took batting practice prior to Sunday’s game. He also stayed back and hit at the complex on Saturday.

“Slow play, as they say,” La Russa said. “But he’s doing more and more. That’s a good sign.”

He Said It

“I think a lot of them are scared of me. But I’ve spoken to a couple, just about how to do things. I want to bring that air of confidence while also being able to enjoy the game.” -- A smiling and always energetic Hendriks on if any of his teammates have asked for advice through the start of Spring Training