White Sox's Lucas Giolito: Wrestles with command Thursday

Giolito gave up some hard contact and consistently pitched from behind in the count, but allowed just one run over four innings in Thursday's game against the Diamondbacks, Scott Merkin of MLB.com reports.

Giolito credited the defense around him, particularly catcher Kevan Smith, who blocked several pitches that landed in the dirt. It was the second shaky outing in three spring starts for the White Sox's highest-rated pitching prospect, but the organization is preaching patience with Giolito. The right-hander, who had a rough introduction to the majors while with Washington in 2016, will be given ample opportunity to get himself straight at Triple-A Charlotte to start 2017.