Lenyn Sosa hoping to make White Sox' roster without permanent spot

GLENDALE, Ariz. — The White Sox’ Lenyn Sosa devoted the offseason to working on his defensive versatility while playing in the Venezuelan Winter League.

But will it be enough to earn him a spot on the Opening Day roster, considering he doesn’t have a permanent position despite hitting a team-leading 22 home runs in 2025?

‘‘I don’t really pay attention to what my role is,’’ Sosa said Saturday. ‘‘It’s just trying to get better every day and do the best for me every day.’’

Compounding the situation is that Sosa is out of minor-league options, so he would be exposed to waivers if he doesn’t make the opening roster. He came up through the Sox’ system as a shortstop but moved to second base before reaching the majors in 2022.

Chase Meidroth, however, seized most of the playing time at second during the latter stages of last season, and Sosa had a minus-10 defensive runs saved at second. Miguel Vargas will be the Sox’ starting third baseman, and Sosa’s chances of starting at first, where he played 42 games last season, diminished when the Sox signed Japanese slugger Munetaka Murakami to a two-year, $34 million contract.

Newcomers Luisangel Acuna and Tanner Murray also can play multiple infield positions, although Acuna is expected to get a long look in center field.

Sosa, meanwhile, said he intends to be more aggressive on first pitches and has no intention of raising his 3.3% walk rate.

‘‘The plan for this year is to be even more aggressive,’’ Sosa said. ‘‘What I mean with that is just trying to really crush pitches that are in the strike zone.’’

Murakami on the move

The plan for Murakami is to start Sunday and Monday, followed by a day off Tuesday. Manager Will Venable indicated Murakami, who had two hits and two RBI in his Cactus League debut Friday, likely would play Thursday and Friday before departing for Japan to train for the World Baseball Classic.

In other scheduling news, right-handers Mike Vasil and Sean Burke are scheduled to pitch Sunday against the Brewers, and right-handers Shane Smith, Seranthony Dominguez and Grant Taylor are lined up to pitch Monday against the Rockies.

Aided by ABS

Pitcher Jordan Hicks is a big fan of the automated ball-strike (ABS) system, as evidenced by a ball that was overturned and resulted in a called third strike to the Athletics’ Max Muncy in the third inning.

‘‘I’ve been telling people I think I might be one of the biggest beneficiaries [of ABS] because of that ride-back sinker,’’ Hicks said. ‘‘I feel like umpires my whole career have just kind of given up on it. That’s a really important pitch for me.’’

Hicks, who umpired youth games as a 16-year-old, said he didn’t mean to disrespect plate umpire Charlie Ramos but was happy catcher Edgar Quero requested the challenge.

‘‘At the end of the day, I think we’re going to trust the catchers overall,’’ Hicks said. ‘‘I think they probably have the best zone awareness over a pitcher. They see hundreds of pitches come in every single day.’’

Sox 11, Athletics 2

Edgar Quero had a two-run single in the first inning and an opposite-field two-run single in the third. Brooks Baldwin, battling for an outfield spot, smacked a changeup for a home run to lead off the second as the Sox collected 14 hits.

• Shortstop Colson Montgomery looked smooth while ranging to his right, avoiding a collision with third baseman Miguel Vargas and making an accurate throw to retire Colby Thomas for the second out in the first.

• Left-hander Chris Murphy threw first-pitch strikes to eight of the 10 batters he faced. He threw two wild pitches, however, in the second that led to an Athletics run.

• On deck: Brewers at Sox, 2:05 p.m. Sunday, Glendale, CHSN, Logan Henderson vs. Mike Vasil.