White Sox Notes: Reliever Guerra Claimed From Dodgers, Beckham To Start Season On DL
By Bruce Levine-
GLENDALE, Ariz. (CBS) -- The White Sox claimed 28-year-old right-handed reliever Javy Guerra from the Dodgers on Wednesday. He'll bump a previously considered pitcher back to the minors soon.
"The reports we got say he can pitch," Chicago manager Robin Ventura said. "For us, the depth he brings is good to have."
Guerra had a 6.75 ERA in 10 2/3 innings with the Dodgers last season, when he spent most of the year in Triple-A.
Ventura added that he's not sure if the team will carry 12 or 13 pitchers.
Nieto wins backup catcher job
Rookie Adrian Nieto has made the team as a backup catcher, which is quite the accomplishment given his background.
Nieto was a Rule 5 selection from Washington last December. A Rule 5 player who is claimed must stay with the claiming team on the major league roster for an entire season. If he doesn't, he must go on waivers and will likely be lost.
White Sox catcher Josh Phegley was sent down to the minor leagues last week. That opened up a spot for Nieto, who has never caught above Class-A ball.
"This is baseball," Nieto said. "As long as you get the pitcher's confidence, you sit down and talk to them and gain their respect, you just do your job."
Nieto, 24, had been in the Washington system since 2008, when he was drafted in the fifth round of the June first-year player draft .
Nieto hit 11 home runs in 390 at-bats at Potomac in the Nationals' organization in 2013.
Beckham, Keppinger to start season on DL
Second baseman Gordon Beckham and third baseman Jeff Keppinger will start the season on the disabled list, the Chicago Tribune reported. Beckham has a strained left oblique muscle, while Keppinger has soreness in his shoulder after surgery last fall.
Bruce Levine covers the Cubs and White Sox for 670 The Score and CBSChicago.com. Follow him on Twitter @MLBBruceLevine.
