White Sox's Norge Vera: Tending to lat strain

White Sox assistant general manager Chris Getz said Tuesday that Vera has been behind the organization's other pitchers in minor-league camp this spring due to a Grade 1 right lat strain, James Fegan of The Athletic reports.

On a positive note, Vera hasn't been shut down by the injury, but because he'll need additional ramp-up time, he may face limitations with his pitch count when the minor-league season begins in early April. After signing for $1.5 million last January as an amateur free agent out of Cuba, the 21-year-old right-hander is expected to begin his professional career in 2022 with one of the White Sox's lower-level affiliates.