White Sox pitching coach Don Cooper hospitalized again
BY DARYL VAN SCHOUWEN Staff Reporter September 7, 2013 8:58PM
Chicago White Sox pitching coach Don Cooper, right, supervises Jose Contreras' workout for the 2005 World Series at US Cellular Field in Chicago Wednesday, Oct. 19, 2005. (AP Photo/Charles Rex Arbogast) ORG XMIT: CXS104
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Updated: September 8, 2013 2:45AM
BALTIMORE — White Sox pitching coach Don Cooper was hospitalized Saturday with what was believed to be a recurrence of diverticulitis. Cooper was hospitalized in April and missed 10 days with the digestive disease, which typically occurs within the large intestine.
Bullpen coach Bobby Thigpen assumed Cooper’s normal duties.
“We’re going home [Sunday], so he’ll probably stay in the hospital today and maybe fly home with us tomorrow, and then we’ll see what happens in Chicago,’’ manager Robin Ventura said.
Encouraging words from Miggy
Avisail Garcia stays in close contact with Miguel Cabrera, his mentor and friend from their time together in Detroit. Garcia became known as “Little Miggy” because he shadowed the American League MVP and Triple Crown winner and because of his resemblance to Cabrera. Both are from Venezuela and are 6-4 and around 240 pounds.
“Talked to him yesterday. He asked me how I’m doing, and I said, ‘Everything is good.’ He knows,’’ Garcia said.
Garcia probably needed a word of encouragement after going 0-for-4 with three strikeouts, his toughest day with the Sox. He’s batting .320 since coming over from the Tigers in a trade July 30.
“He’s my friend, but I love the way he talks to me. He says a lot of good things to me,’’ Garcia said. “He’s like my brother. He calls me, I call him. Good people.’’
Another look at third for Semien
Marcus Semien got his second start in four days at third base. Semien played shortstop, second and third in the minors, but he’s relatively new to third. He said he feels comfortable at the hot corner.
“It’s still the same hands, same footwork. You just have to react a little more at third,’’ Semien said.
The Class AA Southern League MVP, Semien made his debut with former California teammate Erik Johnson on Wednesday at Yankee Stadium.
“That was a pretty special night, a special place to have a debut,’’ he said.
For an encore, Camden Yards on a regional Fox broadcast was kind of a big deal, too.
“Whenever they put me in, I’ll be ready. I’m just happy to be able to play all three [positions],’’ he said.
Playing in the big leagues is new, and so is not playing every day. So adjustments are front and center for the 22-year-old who hit .284 with 32 doubles, six triples, 19 homers, 66 RBI, 110 runs scored and 24 steals in 137 games between Class AAA Charlotte and Class AA Birmingham.
Semien, who was 2-for-4 in New York, was 0-for-3 with two strikeouts Saturday.
“I’ve never seen any of these pitchers, so I’m trying to adjust as fast as I can,’’ he said. “It’s still the same game to me, just different guys out there. Now I’m going to see how I fit in there.
This and that
Dayan Viciedo homered to center and doubled. He’s 17-for-46 (.370) in the last 13 games. He has seven doubles, a triple, four homers and 17 RBI in his last 31 games.
◆ Rookie Jake Petricka, who pitched a scoreless sixth inning, has allowed two runs in 10 innings in eight appearances.
Twitter: @CST_soxvan
