Coming off of a successful year in 2014, White Sox pitcher Zach Putnam has struggled in spring training, per MLB.com.
Putnam is looking to wrap up a spot on the team's bullpen roster for 2015. He finished last year with an ERA of 1.98 in 54 2/3 innings pitched. This spring has been different, as he has had a rough go of it with an ERA of 19.64 in only three innings pitched.
Manager Don Cooper is looking at the bigger picture.
"You never should go on Spring Training, good or bad," Cooper said. "For three or four innings, are we throwing out the [54 2/3] he got last year? That's silly.
"He's not where we want him to be. He's close. But it would be nice to see him go out there and have a couple of innings where he puts it all together. He's putting it together for hitters, but not for a full inning just yet."
Coming into spring training it appeared that Putnam would be a lock for a bullpen spot. His objectives have not changed as he battles to earn the role.
"Whether I'm in a position where I am in this year or a position like I have been in previous Spring Trainings, the objective is the same: Go out there and get guys out and prove to these guys that I'm the man for the job, whatever job that may be," Putnam said. "Whatever happens will happen.
"Nobody is bigger than the game. This is the ultimate humbler I guess, so coming off a good season last year, that stuff is in the past. Right now for us and guys who are struggling a little bit statistically, just put that stuff out of your mind and just focus on what you're doing, focus on your craft, which is what we're all just trying to do right now."