CHICAGO -- The White Sox had preliminary talks with right-handed pitcher Dylan Cease’s camp about an extension during Spring Training, a source confirmed to MLB.com. But nothing is expected to come from it at this time.

In his pregame media session before Friday’s home opener, general manager Rick Hahn mentioned that Cease, MLB Pipeline's No. 21 prospect, figures to reach the Majors at some point in 2019. Hahn also talked about the team’s continued efforts to lock down its young core, without addressing any current player by name.

“You've seen us going back to [Mark] Buehrle, [Paul] Konerko, being aggressive with our young guys and trying to lock them up when we feel that they're part of something here for the long term,” Hahn said. “We've obviously continued that the last few months with Eloy [Jimenez], the last couple of years with Tim Anderson.

“You can expect us to continue down that path. That was part of the economic strategy of this whole rebuild.”

Jimenez and the White Sox agreed to a six-year, $43 million deal during Spring Training with two club options possibly taking the deal to $75 million over eight years. Cease, 23, was the MLB Pipeline Pitcher of the Year in 2018 with a single-season high of 124 innings pitched. The White Sox monitored his inning total beginning in Spring Training to keep him as fresh as possible during the ’19 season, with a Major League debut in mind.

Jay improving

Outfielder Jon Jay, who began the season on the injured list with a right hip strain, said on Friday that he’s feeling better.

“Stayed back in Arizona for about a week, worked with the staff down there and got some rest,” Jay said. “I met with a lot of doctors over here, but everything is progressing well. There’s no timetable right now; [I'm] trying to get better every day. But it is getting a lot better.”

Robert starts strong

Luis Robert, the No. 39 prospect overall per MLB Pipeline, did not hit a home run over 186 at-bats in an injury-riddled 2018 season. But in his 2019 debut with Class A Advanced Winston-Salem on Thursday night, the outfielder launched two home runs and drove in five runs. Although it’s just one game, there is little question that Robert’s Major League ETA could be sooner than later.

“He obviously had a pretty good night last night, so people are ready for him to be here next week,” Hahn said. “[Questions about Robert] are difficult ones to answer. On one hand, from a tool set and talent standpoint, absolutely his tools are as strong as many at the big league level already. However, from a rawness, repetition, staying healthy for an extended period of time -- we haven't really addressed those issues just yet.

“He's a guy who last year had a lot of challenges, both with the multiple thumb injuries to essentially having a year, year-and-a-half layoff from the time he last played in Cuba to the time he was finally playing regularly in the States. There's a lot of rust involved in that, not to mention the transition to a new culture. We're going to be in a much better position to answer questions about time frame on Luis as the summer unfolds and probably at the end of this season have a much firmer grasp.”

Anderson is a proud father

The early postponement of Thursday’s opener gave shortstop Tim Anderson an extra day to be with his family, including his new baby girl, Paxton Karter.

“I soaked it all in,” a beaming Anderson said on Friday. “I got some good rest last night so I’m good, I’m ready to go.”

Anderson would have played Thursday if the game went off as scheduled. The arrival of his second daughter with his wife, Bria, was a bit of a surprise in that she wasn’t due until April 26th or 27th.

“But healthy baby and healthy wife, so everything’s good,” Anderson said. “We’re kind of keeping the 'PK' [initials]. My first daughter is Peyton Kensleigh. My wife comes up with all the ideas. I’m just a 'yes' man.”

They said it

“She’s done well enough for herself to this point that I don’t think I have to tell her anything.” -- White Sox manager Rick Renteria, on advice for Chicago Mayor-elect Lori Lightfoot before throwing out a first pitch on Friday.