Ventura keeping his options open

But the White Sox manager seemed adaptable to a variety of possibilities with the start of a lengthy spring training less than three weeks away.

•It's not etched in stone that Jeff Keppinger will stay at third base, leaving open the possibility the Sox still could acquire a left-handed-hitting infielder.

"Over the course of spring, it could change as far as doing something else," Ventura said. "I would say, as of right now, I would see him there (at third)."

•Chris Sale might not make his spring debut until the exhibition season is well under way in an effort to preserve his left arm. The same tactic could be used with fellow left-handers Jose Quintana and John Danks, who is recovering from shoulder surgery in August.

•When he's not playing for Puerto Rico in the World Baseball Classic, Alex Rios might bat in the third spot with Ventura possibly inclined to separate leadoff hitter Alejandro De Aza and Adam Dunn — the only two left-handed hitters in the lineup — as much as possible.

With a full season of managerial experience and more familiarity with his personnel, Ventura will have more time to experiment and evaluate because spring training is one week longer thanks to the WBC.

The front office continues to evaluate possibilities to balance a right-handed-dominant lineup. Adding a left-handed-hitting outfielder such as the Diamondbacks' Jason Kubel likely would result in the departure of or decreased playing time for Dayan Viciedo or Rios, and Kubel's batting average has declined dramatically in the second half of his last two seasons.

The Rays' need to add offense virtually rules out any chance of prying away outfielder Matt Joyce. Acquiring a left-handed-hitting infielder could affect second baseman Gordon Beckham (Keppinger has played 307 of his 677 games at second) or shortstop Alexei Ramirez.

As for Sale, postponing his spring debut until March 7 should give him ample time to be ready for the season opener April 1 against the Royals. This will be Sale's second season as a starting pitcher, and he and the Sox have discussed ways to increase his stamina.