(670 The Score) The new rules of spring training baseball had White Sox left-hander Dallas Keuchel rather confused Thursday.
Making his first Cactus League start this spring, Keuchel was removed by manager Tony La Russa with two outs in the first inning against the Royals after allowing four runs. That caused Keuchel to momentarily be upset, as he wanted to get more work in. That was also the plan of La Russa, who exercised the right to pull his pitcher after hitting the 20-pitch threshold, which is a new rule instituted this spring across MLB. La Russa reinserted Keuchel an inning later.
"I know the rule you can roll the innings, but I was very confused when (La Russa) came out to get me,” Keuchel said. “I was really heated in the dugout until (pitching coach Ethan) Katz told me I was going out again. I was trying to get my work in, but I had no idea what was going on. It was weird, but I like the rule a lot more pitch count-wise to be able to re-enter.”
Keuchel then came back to the mound for the second inning. He would allow one more run and ended up giving up five altogether in 2 1/3 innings. Despite the ugly stat line, he was happy to get on the mound in a game after he and the training staff mapped out a plan that featured him doing a lot of side work rather than pitching in early Cactus League games.
The reason for that approach was to ease Keuchel’s workload as he prepares for a 162-game season after experiencing two abbreviated campaigns. The pandemic shortened the 2020 season, and Keuchel went unsigned in 2019 until joining the Braves that June.
"Right now, it's the first time in a really long time that I have felt like myself,” Keuchel said. "We kind of mapped out only a few starts for me. That is because of the shortened season last year and having sat out half of the previous season. I am not trying to push it in spring training. I want to be there strong in September and October.
“Today I was a little amped up with fans in the stands for the first time. I just didn't put consecutive pitches together. At one point or another, I was making quality pitches. I got my work in, and I hope to get up to 90 pitches by the time we start the season.”
Keuchel wasn’t the only key White Sox player back in game action Thursday. Catcher Yasmani Grandal returned for the first time since suffering a knee strain on Feb. 24.
“I was really excited to be able to catch again," Grandal said. “I just had too much adrenaline today. Things were going way too fast. As the innings went on, I started slowing it down. It was a good day, so we will continue to do the work and build the innings. We will work to get it in shape, but we are not going to push too hard. I will hit more lefties in B games to feel in rhythm right-handed.”
Grandal and Keuchel admitted they were out of sync together, which contributed to Keuchel’s struggles.
"That rhythm of the game thing goes the same for you with the pitcher,” Grandal said. “There are timing and rhythm with a guy. There are a lot of elements that go along with it.”
Added Keuchel: “I love Yas and all he brings to the table. We were not on the same page the entire time. We will clean that up too. He is very smart behind the plate and knows me well.”
Keuchel, 33, suffered from back issues late in the 2020 season, when he was brilliant in posting a 1.99 ERA in 11 starts. That’s no longer a problem, he said while turning his attention to the new season.
“I feel in a physical state right now where I can do anything I want to,” Keuchel said. “I think this year you will see more breaking balls for strikes early. You will also see me use more for put-away pitches, which I haven't had in a few years.”
Bruce Levine covers the Cubs and White Sox for 670 The Score. Follow him on Twitter @MLBBruceLevine.