Levine: Jeff Samardzija Gearing Up For Opening Day Start
By Bruce Levine--
GLENDALE, Ariz. (CBS) -- The news that right-hander Jeff Samardzija will start Opening Day for the White Sox wouldn't be a surprise, especially after left-hander Jose Quintana said Monday that he will pitch the second game of the season. That information confirmed the Samardzija should get the ball with on April 6 with ace Chris Sale continuing to recover from a foot injury.
"It doesn't really matter to me," Samardzija said about getting the official word. "The less time you get to think about it, the better. It means you have less time laying in bed thinking about it and staying up all night.:
White Sox management has yet to make the official announcement on the first starter. Samardzija was the Opening Day starter the previous two seasons as a member of the Chicago Cubs. The 30-year-old Samardzija was traded to the Oakland A's last July, then was dealt to the White Sox in a six player trade in December.
"I just need to know the day of," Samardzija joked about the Opening Day start. "To tell you the truth, I have had some of my best starts when I showed up to the park and they said, 'You're pitching today.'"
Samardzija has built his pitch count up to 70. He has two spring starts left -- on Friday and April 1. After that, Samardzija's on schedule to take the hill April 6 in Kansas City.
With free agency pending in November, Samardzija has heard from the White Sox in the team's attempt to sign him to a long-term extension. Conversations began last November with Samardzija's agent after Oakland gave Chicago permission to talk.
Samardzija will make his next start against the Cubs on Friday. He doesn't appear that interested in seeing old teammates as much as getting his pitch count and command where it should be.
Samardzija admitted that Opening Day has had its own dynamic to begin the season.
"Yeah, it's a little different because it's the first one," Samardzija said. "The spotlight is so bright, you need to be in midseason form. It is a little weird.
"Right now, I am still in the strength-building phase. I am trying to get my shoulder, arm and lower body in shape. We all know when the start of the season is. We all need to be ready to go that day."
Bruce Levine covers the Cubs and White Sox for 670 The Score and CBSChicago.com. Follow him on Twitter @MLBBruceLevine.
