New White Sox pitcher Derek Holland has a lot of adjustments to make joining just his second team in his ninth year in the majors.
But there’s one that’s proving particularly difficult — learning names.
"I’ve met a few guys like five times already," Holland said. "Each one has said, ‘Derek, we’ve met before.’"
Holland should have plenty of time to learn them.
The 30-year-old lefty fills a spot in the rotation after signing a one-year, $6 million deal in the offseason following eight seasons with the Rangers. However, he does not plan to act as if his job is a certainty.
"I know I’ve got like a spot, but I never treat it that way," Holland said. "I’ve got to treat it as if no spot is earned yet, and I’ve got to earn it. I have to earn the respect of the other guys too."
Holland threw his first bullpen session Tuesday at Camelback Ranch and joked about having to line up next to fellow starting lefty Jose Quintana, who he said is "in midseason form."
Photos as the White Sox practice at spring training at Camelback Ranch in Glendale, Ariz.
After battling injuries the last three seasons, Holland said he feels "awesome" and is eyeing the 200-inning mark as a goal, something he has surpassed only once in his career, in 2013. He thinks the Sox staff can help him get there despite him making just 35 starts over the last three years. He tore cartilage in his left knee in 2014, strained a muscle in his left shoulder in 2015 and had left shoulder inflammation in 2016 that limited him to 107 1/3 innings.
Holland said part of the draw of heading to Chicago was the Sox’s track record with pitchers and their success keeping them healthy. He said pitching coach Don Cooper laid out a plan to put him on the right path this spring.
"Coop just kept nailing me, talking to me," Holland said. "(He said), ‘There’s some things I want to work on. I know what we can get right. I saw some things.’ … Once he started hammering down on me I was like, ‘All right, we’re going with the White Sox.’ Plus I’m a very sporty person and this is a sports town too."
Caption White Sox players work out at Camelback Ranch
White Sox pitchers and catchers work out at Camelback Ranch on Feb. 15, 2017, in Glendale, Ariz. (John J. Kim/Chicago Tribune)
White Sox pitchers and catchers work out at Camelback Ranch on Feb. 15, 2017, in Glendale, Ariz. (John J. Kim/Chicago Tribune)
Caption White Sox players work out at Camelback Ranch
White Sox pitchers and catchers work out at Camelback Ranch on Feb. 15, 2017, in Glendale, Ariz. (John J. Kim/Chicago Tribune)
White Sox pitchers and catchers work out at Camelback Ranch on Feb. 15, 2017, in Glendale, Ariz. (John J. Kim/Chicago Tribune)
Caption Jose Quintana on trade rumors, preparing for 2017
White Sox pitcher Jose Quintana discusses trade rumors and his preparation for the 2017 season on Feb. 15, 2017. (Colleen Kane/Chicago Tribune)
White Sox pitcher Jose Quintana discusses trade rumors and his preparation for the 2017 season on Feb. 15, 2017. (Colleen Kane/Chicago Tribune)
Caption Derek Holland on earning a spot in the Sox’s rotation
Pitcher Derek Holland might be a 30-year-old veteran, but he’s not taking it for granted that he’s already earned a spot in the White Sox’s rotation. (Colleen Kane/Chicago Tribune)
Pitcher Derek Holland might be a 30-year-old veteran, but he’s not taking it for granted that he’s already earned a spot in the White Sox’s rotation. (Colleen Kane/Chicago Tribune)
Caption First workout for White Sox at spring training
White Sox pitchers and catchers, with a few position players, work out for spring training at Camelback Ranch on Feb. 14, 2017, in Glendale, Ariz. (John J. Kim/Chicago Tribune)
White Sox pitchers and catchers, with a few position players, work out for spring training at Camelback Ranch on Feb. 14, 2017, in Glendale, Ariz. (John J. Kim/Chicago Tribune)
Caption Lucas Giolito at his first White Sox spring training
Lucas Giolito at his first White Sox spring training on Feb. 14, 2017. (Colleen Kane/Chicago Tribune)
Lucas Giolito at his first White Sox spring training on Feb. 14, 2017. (Colleen Kane/Chicago Tribune)
Holland may have more names to learn, but he knows one important one already. He worked with catcher Geovany Soto while with the Rangers and is happy to throw to him this spring after Soto signed a minor-league deal to rejoin the Sox after a season away.
"As we came in, I was kind of singing to him, ‘Reunited and it feels so good,’" Holland said. "He’s one of those guys, we had a blast when we were in Texas together. Great personality, goofy guy as well, but a hard worker too."
Holland has already flashed a lively personality, showing off his Harry Caray impersonation at SoxFest. He also does Arnold Schwarzenegger, Cleveland from "Family Guy" and Kermit the Frog, though he may not do them for the public very often.
He doesn’t want his impressions to give off the wrong impression to the fans.
"The thing that gets lost in translation is that people think that’s what I’m really working on when I’m actually here trying to get myself better," Holland said. "I just have a personality. I want to live my life, have fun, enjoy myself and play the game of baseball at the same time."
Sox manager Rick Renteria recognizes Holland’s ability to work hard and have fun. He said he expects to use Holland to liven up the clubhouse at times and said it is beneficial to have such veterans on a young team.
"You hope they play a role in communicating and having a relationship with the younger players," Renteria said. "It makes it (a little easier) for the younger players to transition into and get comfortable with themselves between the lines, just know that they are a part of everything going on."
ckane@chicagotribune.com
Twitter @ChiTribKane
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