Delgado, Rodon making bids for D-backs, White Sox rotation

SCOTTSDALE, Ariz. (AP) Three pitchers in the thick of competitions to make their teams' opening-day rotation were on display when the Arizona Diamondbacks beat the Chicago White Sox 6-2 on Monday.

None of them did anything to hurt his case.

Randall Delgado had another strong performances for the Diamondbacks and Carlos Rodon settled down after early control issues for the White Sox.

Delgado allowed a run for the first time this spring. Tyler Saladino's homer was the only hit the Arizona right-hander gave up in three innings. Hard-throwing lefty Robbie Ray followed Delgado on the mound and struck out six in four innings.

Both are in the mix for the three vacant spots in the Diamondbacks' rotation.

''The more these guys pitch, the better they pitch, it's better for us and make it hard on us to make a decision,'' Arizona manager Chip Hale said. ''Robbie stepped forward today. Delgado didn't hurt himself any for me. So we'll just keep moving on.''

Rodon, competing with Brad Penny for a spot for the White Sox because Chris Sale is out with an injury, walked two and hit a batter in the first inning, leading to David Peralta's two-run single. But he shut Arizona down the next two innings. Overall, he gave up two runs on two hits with two walks and a strikeout in three innings.

''My fastball command wasn't too great (in the first), just too much extension'' Rodon said. ''I made the adjustment, a little too late because two runs scored. But that happens.''

Rodon said he wasn't thinking about making the rotation.

''I'm just going day by day,'' he said. ''Whoever puts us in the best position to win, I'm all for it.''

Ray hit 96 mph on the radar gun and had success with his other pitches as well.

''My arm felt good today. I was letting a few loose, just trying to see where I'm at right now,'' he said.

Hale said what the Diamondbacks saw from Ray was what they thought they were getting when they made the three-team trade that brought him from Detroit.

''We knew he had a power arm,'' Hale said. ''He has a big league change. We just need to get the breaking ball where it needs to be. He impressed us today.''

Chicago and ex-Arizona third baseman Matt Davidson made consecutive errors in the seventh, booting Gerald Laird's grounder and throwing wide of first on Jake Lamb's sacrifice bunt attempt. The Diamondbacks went on to score four unearned runs in the inning.

TOMAS TIME

Arizona's Yasmany Tomas got his first start of spring training in the outfield. That doesn't mean the Diamondbacks' have given up on the Cuban at third base. Manager Chip Hale says Tomas has ''been fine'' at third and is in competition with Jake Lamb for the job there. Hale says it's possible both make the opening-day roster. Tomas was hit in the foot by a pitch in the first inning but stayed in the game, playing right field. No balls were hit to Tomas.

STARTING TIME

White Sox: Rodon threw an additional 15 pitches in the bullpen after he left the game.

Diamondbacks: Because he is out of options, Delgado is a virtual certainty to make the opening-day roster, either as a starter or reliever.

TRAINING ROOM

White Sox: Twenty-year-old pitching prospect Tyler Danish left the game after being hit taking David Peralta's line drive off his pitching hand (right). The preliminary diagnosis was bruised triceps. ... Sale threw off the mound on Thursday and played long toss Saturday but won't be ready for opening day. He is recovering from a fractured right foot.

Diamondbacks: RHP Brad Zeigler threw 25 pitches to minor leaguers over the weekend and could appear in a spring training game this week. He could pitch in a spring game this week. Ziegler had surgery on his left knee last September.

UP NEXT

White Sox: at home, in Glendale, against Seattle on Tuesday.

Diamondbacks: at San Francisco, in Scottsdale, on Tuesday.