Levine: White Sox Closer Jones On Track For First Appearance Next Week
By Bruce Levine-
GLENDALE, Ariz. (CBS) -- White Sox closer Nate Jones is scheduled to make his first spring training appearance late next week. Jones strained an upper leg muscle when camp began on Feb. 15.
Jones threw to hitters in a simulated workout Friday morning at the Glendale complex.
"It was great getting out there facing live hitters again," Jones said. "Just being one of the guys was nice."
Jones inherits the closer's role from Addison Reed, who was traded to Arizona for third baseman Matt Davidson this winter. Jones threw 30 pitches in the live throwing session.
"Everything felt good, just need to work on my fastball location," Jones said. "Everything else was pretty good. I had no discomfort out there, and I was really trying to get after it and not hold anything back. It went well."
The 28-year-old former set-up man hopes to throw to Sox hitters one more time Sunday before pitching in Cactus league action late next week.
Bruce Levine is a baseball reporter/analyst for 670 The Score and CBSChicago.com. Follow him on Twitter @MLBBruceLevine.