‘Good to be back’: Tim Anderson among the Chicago White Sox players to arrive at spring training 1 day after lockout ends

All-Star shortstop Tim Anderson drilled liners up the middle during batting practice.

Infielder Danny Mendick chatted with manager Tony La Russa near home plate. Infielder/outfielder Andrew Vaughn smiled and said, “We’re back,” as he greeted reporters.

Chicago White Sox players returned to Camelback Ranch on Friday, a day after Major League Baseball ratified a new collective bargaining agreement and ended a 99-day lockout.

“Definitely felt good to be back at the facility and be around the guys and be around people in the organization,” Anderson said after Friday’s workout. “I was trying to stay ready whenever it was time. I wanted to make sure I was in shape and ready to go.”

Players weren’t able to communicate with coaches during the lockout, but that didn’t alter Anderson’s preparation.

“I stick to the same plan,” said Anderson, who finished in the top four in American League batting the last three seasons. “Just keep working and getting better. I know my routine, my schedule. It’s really come in and get right to work.”

Anderson, Mendick and Vaughn were among the Sox position players at the complex. All-Star starter Lance Lynn, All-Star closer Liam Hendriks and reliever Garrett Crochet were some of the pitchers throwing.

General manager Rick Hahn hopes to have “just about everyone” in camp by Sunday. The phones became active, for a variety of reasons, once the lockout ended.

“We’re obviously in the process, communicating with our guys, getting everyone out there (to Arizona) and preparing for how we’re going to get ready for opening day (April 8) in Detroit,” Hahn said during a video conference. “But it’s also like the winter meetings are going on at the same time in terms of the amount of dialogue, the conversations with agents (and) other teams late into the night (Thursday) and then once they pick up again (Friday) morning.

“There is that sort of excitement that you get in December combined with the excitement you get in February when you’re reporting to camp. It’s unique and interesting and an exciting time.”

Pitching depth is at the top of the Sox wish list.

“The combination of the shortened ramp-up (to the season), the lack of dialogue over the last few months (with players on the 40-man roster), as well as obviously our high expectations for this season, has created the expectation that pitching depth is going to be a priority,” Hahn said. “I think all 29 other clubs would probably say something similar in terms of trying to protect those very important elements of the club.

“But certainly from our perspective, being able to start the season off with the depth we need and build hopefully for over seven-plus months of baseball, having that pitching depth is going to be key.”

A familiar face went off the market later Friday when former Sox pitcher Carlos Rodón reportedly signed a two-year deal with the San Francisco Giants.

The Sox earned playoff berths in each of the last two seasons, including winning the AL Central title in 2021. They have decisions to make at second base and right field as they try to take the next step after being eliminated in their opening postseason series in 2020 (wild-card round against the Oakland Athletics) and 2021 (AL Division Series against the Houston Astros).

“We’re prepared to go forward with the roster we have right now,” Hahn said. “However, we are fully aware that there are places where we can get ourselves better. ... Generally if there is a way to improve the club, we’re going to exhaust those opportunities over the next few weeks.”

Hahn wants to make sure that when everyone arrives, they take the proper precautions to prepare for the season.

“Over the course of the next 10 days and two weeks,” he said, “it’s going to be a fair amount of effort and communication involved in making sure guys don’t try to do too much too soon, trying to make up for any lost time or force the issue in terms of their preparation and getting them lengthened out.

“It’s going to be a challenge for all 30 teams, but quite frankly we’re thrilled to be in the position we’re at right now where we’re talking about baseball and we’re talking about getting our guys ready for an exciting season.”

The Sox begin Cactus League play March 19 against the Cleveland Guardians at Camelback Ranch as part of a revised spring training schedule that MLB announced Friday.

The spring training finale is April 5 against the San Diego Padres in Peoria, Ariz., with the lone meeting with the Chicago Cubs coming the day before in Mesa.