GOODYEAR, Ariz. — An upbeat Andrew Vaughn said his back felt “normal” Saturday, a bright piece of news for the White Sox as they near Opening Day hoping to be at full strength.
A day after batting three times and dashing at full speed from second base to home as the designated hitter in a minor-league game, Vaughn played first base in another minor-league game Saturday and went 1-for-4. He likely will play Monday against the Cubs in the Sox’ second-to-last Cactus League game.
It will be Vaughn’s first since March 12. When his back tightened up, he tried to move through it and stretch.
“It was like, ‘Yeah, this one’s a little tighter,’ ’’ Vaughn said. ‘‘We took it slow, and I feel like I’m in a really good place right now.
“I was glad to be out there. Just trying to be smart. I’d rather play 162 games than blow out in spring training and not be able to play Opening Day [Thursday in Houston].”
This and that
Manager Pedro Grifol is batting Andrew Benintendi third in Cactus League lineups, and while that seems where he’s headed, Grifol said he hasn’t determined his lineup yet. He prefers set lineups.
“Everybody has 100-plus lineups, different lineups a year,” he said. “So players do adapt, and they make adjustments. But they like consistency. They are routine-oriented.”
† Left-hander Aaron Bummer came away from his first Cactus League appearance Friday, a scoreless inning with two strikeouts against the Athletics, with no issues.
Sox 9, Reds 2
• Lance Lynn, making his first Cactus League appearance after being away with Team USA in the World Baseball -Classic, tuned up for his start Friday against the Astros. After allowing a walk and two singles, throwing a wild pitch and not -finishing the second inning, Lynn re-entered and retired 10 of 11 batters. He finished with six strikeouts.
• Zach Remillard hit two home runs, singled in two runs and had five RBI. He and Erik Gonzalez, batting 8-9 in a lineup featuring one or two Opening Day position players, hit back-to-back homers against Connor Overton in the second inning.
• Oscar Colas had a two-run opposite-field single in a five-run third, flied out to the track and played right and center field.
• On deck: Rockies at Sox, 3:05 p.m. Sunday, Glendale, MLB.com, 1000-AM, Austin Gomber vs. Lucas Giolito.
