Vieira ready to compete in White Sox bullpen

GLENDALE Ariz. -- White Sox reliever Thyago Vieira knows it's going to take more than his 100-plus-mph fastball to break camp with the big league club, so he has been working on a plan.
"I have a few surprises waiting for you guys," Vieira said with a smile on Sunday. "You are just going to have to wait until the games start. All I can tell you is that I worked very hard in the offseason, and I'm ready to win a spot on this team and help this team win."
Vieira, ranked as the club's No. 20 prospect by MLB Pipeline following a November trade with Seattle, went 2-3 with a 3.72 ERA and two saves in 29 games for Double-A Arkansas in 2017. He logged 35 strikeouts and 15 walks in 36 1/3 innings. At Triple-A Tacoma in mid-July, he went 0-1 with a 4.58 ERA and two saves in 12 outings, to go with 11 strikeouts 11 and seven walks in 17 2/3 innings.
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"I think that in watching his bullpens, we're all talking about, as with any pitcher, commanding the strike zone," White Sox manager Rick Renteria said. "Give him an opportunity to go out and show what he's got. We have quite a few guys in camp that we're really looking forward to seeing them pitch."
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Vieira, who was signed out of Brazil in 2010, was acquired by the White Sox from the Mariners in exchange for international slot money in November. He spent the offseason training in his country and working on his secondary pitches.
"I know it's a great opportunity for me and I'm really happy to be part of the plan," Vieira said. "This is a really good group and I prepared myself to be here."
Delmonico eyes roster spot
The brief stint in the big leagues for corner infielder-turned-outfielder Nicky Delmonico last season has him yearning for more. His play this spring could land him on the Opening Day roster.

"Right now, they have me in left [field] and I'm trying to be the best left fielder I can be, and push the people around me to be better," Delmonico said. "That's my mindset right now."
Delmonico, 25, finished with a .262 batting average, nine home runs, 23 RBIs and 25 runs scored in 2017. He also stole two bases and hit two home runs in a game twice in his first month in the Major Leagues.
"For me, it was awesome getting a taste of the big leagues and going into the offseason knowing what it's like and what to expect," he said. "I worked hard this offseason and stayed [in Arizona] and prepared for this moment."
Avilan feeling strong
Left-handed reliever Luis Avilán has not pitched in a game since Sept. 21 while with the Dodgers because of a sore left shoulder, so he's understandably not concerned about his role in the White Sox bullpen.

"The main goal for me is to stay healthy because unfortunately, last year was the first injury of my career and kept me off the field," Avilan said in Spanish. "I'm strong again and I came in with the mentality to do what I did last year. I took two weeks off at end of the season and then I started training again."
Avilan, 28, went 2-3 with a 2.93 ERA last season with the Dodgers, producing 52 strikeouts and 13 holds in 46 innings. He allowed just 18.2 percent of inherited runners to score (4-for-22) while limiting first batters faced to a .196 average.
The lefty was acquired with Joakim Soria from the Dodgers as part of a three-team, six-player deal that also included the Royals last month. He joins a group that includes, Soria, Nate Jones and Juan Minaya at the back end of the bullpen.
"Honestly, I don't know what my role is here, and really, that's not something I think about," Avilan said. "When they call me, I'll be ready to do my job. That's all I am focused on."
Robert, Jimenez arrive
Eloy Jiménez and Luis Robert Jr., ranked as the club's No. 1 and No. 3 prospects by MLB Pipeline, arrived at camp and took a few swings in the batting cages on Sunday morning.

Jimenez and Robert are expected to address the media on Tuesday, one day after the club's first full-squad workout on Monday. Outfielder Avisaíl García is scheduled to meet with the media on Monday.
Robert, who is ranked as the No. 4 prospect in baseball by MLB Pipeline, made his White Sox debut last week at the club's mini-camp. Jimenez was also there.
Worth noting
Right-hander Dylan Covey was outrighted to Triple-A Charlotte on Sunday morning.
Covey, 26, went 0-7 with a 7.71 ERA and 41 strikeouts in 18 games (12 starts) in 2017. With the move, the White Sox 40-man roster stands at 39.