GLENDALE, Ariz. - The strained oblique muscle on Jesse Crain's right side is not something the White Sox want to linger. Crain will be a key piece to the bullpen, either in a set-up or ninth-inning role, and the more he remains sidelined the greater his chances of being unavailable on Opening Day are.
Crain played catch Monday and might do so Tuesday. A self-described slow starter in spring training, he cherishes his pitching days. He has made three.
"I would like to get, in a perfect world, at least 10 in,'' Crain said Monday.
Between side bullpen sessions and games, Crain said he can get enough work in to be ready, but he wasn't brimming with optimism.
"I think it feels a little better,'' Crain said. "I've never had it before so I don't know what to expect. I don't know how long it will be.''
Matt Thornton's chances of another try at closing just got better, unless Addison Reed gets an unexpected nod out of the gate.
"The biggest thing is I just want to get healthy as soon as possible," Crain said. "I just have to take it day-by-day. That's all I know. That's all I'm trying to do. Rehabbing and doing the same thing and wait until it feels better."