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White Sox Update: Anderson on Abreu, Andrus, Garcia, Benintendi

Originally posted on Sox On 35th | By Jordan Lazowski | Last updated 2/21/23

Today was the first day of full-team workouts for the White Sox, as pitchers and catchers officially reported to camp last week. With Spring Training now completely underway for the White Sox, here are some of the storylines you may have missed.

Pedro Grifol discusses backup infielder role following Andrus signing

This afternoon, the White Sox made their one-year, $3M deal with Elvis Andrus official, which raised the question: what does the team plan to do with their backup infielder position?

In past seasons, the answer has often been Leury Garcia. However, because of the new regime’s vast praise for Romy Gonzalez, manager Pedro Grifol was rather non-committal towards both Garcia and the overall backup infielder job in general.

Grifol: "I've seen Leury play for a while. Leury's a talented player. I haven't spoken to him yet. But for the most part everybody's competing here, other than our main guys. This is spring training, I get it. But there is some competition." (2/2)
— Vinnie Duber (@VinnieDuber) February 20, 2023

Pedro Grifol has spoken to Leury García since he said this, but his answer on García’s status in the wake of Elvis Andrus’ signing indicated that he’ll have to win a job in camp. pic.twitter.com/831Rft8GuF
— James Fegan (@JRFegan) February 20, 2023

This came on the heels of Rick Hahn proclaiming that they see Gonzalez serving a “Ben Zobrist”-type role with the team in 2023, which was the role that Leury Garcia was supposedly meant to fill.

The White Sox seemingly now have some interesting decisions to make when it comes to their major league infield depth.

Rick Hahn on Romy Gonzalez: "Someone described it as a Ben Zobrist type role. He’s going to be all over."
— Scott Merkin (@scottmerkin) February 20, 2023

Andrew Benintendi speaks on Grifol as the club’s new manager

Andrew Benintendi continued the high praise for Pedro Grifol #WhiteSox pic.twitter.com/eU48kJ2rpt
— Slavko Bekovic (@SBekovic) February 21, 2023

Tim Anderson comments on Jose Abreu’s departure

TA on Abreu:

"We're definitely going to miss him. But we're not going to dwell on him. We open up (against) him, so we'll see him. It's still love, but we got to push towards our goals.

"It's a business. … We love Pito, but we're not going to just keep talking about him."
— Vinnie Duber (@VinnieDuber) February 20, 2023

Elvis Andrus speaks on free agency, returning to the White Sox

Elvis Andrus. pic.twitter.com/OeS0h4FkAV
— Daryl Van Schouwen (@CST_soxvan) February 20, 2023

Sights and Sounds from Spring Training – February 20

Let’s get down to business. pic.twitter.com/mTop8Is8v2
— Chicago White Sox (@whitesox) February 20, 2023

Elvis taking grounders at his new position. pic.twitter.com/RvLZPATPMH
— Chuck Garfien (@ChuckGarfien) February 20, 2023

The Oscar Colas content you need.

He smashes one to left-center against Davis Martin who was spinning some nasty breaking balls before this. pic.twitter.com/IM8ircWqmY
— Chuck Garfien (@ChuckGarfien) February 20, 2023

Spent the afternoon with the chairman Jerry Reinsdorf for our #WGN75 series. Great stories on the 2005 White Sox World Series and the Bulls dynasty. Tune in to @GNSportsTV each Tuesday night through the beginning of April as we look back on 75 years of sports coverage on @WGNTV. pic.twitter.com/Mfn2t4ptV6
— Josh Frydman (@Josh_Frydman) February 21, 2023

We’re with Luis on this one. pic.twitter.com/whNqEW9BPv
— Chicago White Sox (@whitesox) February 21, 2023

All smiles at Camelback Ranch! pic.twitter.com/lFKfTZC7Gr
— Chicago White Sox (@whitesox) February 20, 2023

What does Lance Lynn think about computer projections having the White Sox finishing with a losing record??!

Lynn speaks the truth about 2022 and the season ahead on the White Sox Talk Podcast. https://t.co/NZkLwcFUn6 pic.twitter.com/yfhEJfM21c
— Chuck Garfien (@ChuckGarfien) February 20, 2023