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CHICAGO -- The Chicago White Sox's need to pay cash for a backup outfielder Monday brings to light all of the issues that have continued to torment highly-regarded prospect Jared Mitchell.

The former first-round draft pick, whom the White Sox continue to hold in high regard, can't seem to catch a break and the White Sox's acquisition of Casper Wells from the Oakland Athletics on Monday only seems to highlight that.

The early-season injury to Dayan Viciedo, and the fact that the team started the season with only four outfielders, has brought the White Sox's major-league ready depth into focus. On the lower levels, the White Sox have some of the most impressive outfield talent around, but when it comes to players who can jump into the major leagues now, it isn't nearly as strong.

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CHICAGO – There were no surprises Saturday as the Chicago White Sox officially finalized their Opening Day roster with 12 pitchers, two catchers, seven infielders and four outfielders.

After his solid inning of work Friday night at Milwaukee, even getting the victory in the process, Jesse Crain showed that his the strained muscle in his right leg was ready to go, supplying the roster’s final puzzle piece.

The White Sox’s starting rotation will consist of Chris Sale, Jake Peavy, Gavin Floyd, Jose Quintana and Dylan Axelrod in the No. 5 spot, while John Danks starts out on the disabled list while still recovering from his surgically-repaired shoulder.

The bullpen will consist of Addison Reed, Nate Jones, Matt Lindstrom, Matt Thornton, Crain, Hector Santiago and Donnie Veal.

The White Sox will start out relatively thin in the outfield with Dayan Viciedo, Alejandro De Aza, Alex Rios and Dewayne Wise, with primary designated hitter Adam Dunn capable of playing some outfield on occasion if necessary.

The infield will consist of Paul Konerko, Gordon Beckham, Alexei Ramirez, Jeff Keppinger, Angel Sanchez and Conor Gillaspie. Tyler Flowers will be the starting catcher, backed up by Hector Gimenez.

The White Sox made six final moves Saturday in order to finalize the roster. Right-hander Brian Omogrosso was optioned to Triple-A Charlotte, while catcher Bryan Anderson, infielder Josh Bell, right-hander Jeff Gray, infielder Steve Tolleson and right-hander Ramon Troncoso were all reassigned to minor league camp.

The team will have one last workout Saturday morning at U.S. Cellular Field before opening the season Monday at home against the Kansas City Royals in a 3:05 p.m. CST contest. Sale will pitch opposite the Royals' James Shields.

Most notable of the five roster moves the Chicago White Sox made Tuesday is the option of third baseman Brent Morel to Triple-A Charlotte.

Also optioned to Charlotte was right-hander Deunte Heath, while left-hander Daniel Moskos, infielder Carlos Sanchez and right-hander Zach Stewart were reassigned to minor-league camp.

The Morel move is far from a surprise. Coming off a lumbar back strain last season that had him on the disabled list for nearly three months, Morel was hoping to force himself on a crowded roster this spring.

He came into camp fit and with a swing that coaches were raving about, but wasn't able to deliver on the field despite numerous chances. Heading into Cactus League play Tuesday, Morel's 18 games were more than anybody in camp. He hit two home runs, but batted just .216 and had as many strikeouts as hits.

With Jeff Keppinger signed this offseason and expected to play third base, Morel's challenge to make the roster already was a big one. When camp started his chances took another hit when the White Sox acquired left-handed hitting third baseman Conor Gillaspie from the San Francisco Giants.

While playing in one less game this spring, Gillaspie has batted .303 with two home runs and 10 RBIs to Morel's three. In fact, Gillaspie is tied with Dayan Viciedo for the team lead in RBIs.

Sanchez, a top infield prospect in the organization, still is aimed for more development. The White Sox had no intention of having him make the major league roster as a utility player, preferring that he gets at-bats every day in the minor leagues so his growth can continue.

Stewart, who was reacquired this winter when he was claimed off waivers, was battling for a potential spot-starter role if John Danks (shoulder) wasn't able to start the season on time. Dylan Axelrod has emerged as the leader for that role, though, if needed.

The White Sox have 36 players remaining in big-league camp leaving them with 11 more moves to make before the season starts April 1 at home against the Kansas City Royals.

The Chicago White Sox made 10 spring-training roster moves Monday, reducing the number of players in major league camp to 45.

Outfielders Keenyn Walker and Trayce Thompson were among those reassigned to minor-league camp. Also reassigned were outfielder Stefan Gartrell, right-hander Erik Johnson, infielder Seth Loman, infielder Marcus Semien and left-hander Scott Snodgress.

Right-hander Simon Castro and left-hander Santos Rodriguez were optioned to Triple-A Charlotte, while right-hander Nestor Molina was optioned to Double-A Birmingham.

Walker, the 47th overall pick in the 2011, managed to help his cause with a triple and double among his five Cactus League hits, while showing some of the speed that helped him to 56 steals at two separate minor league stops last season. He did strike out eight times in 20 at-bats, though.

Thompson struggled in his short time with the big club. The second-round pick in 2009 went hitless over 14 at-bats, but did manage to walk four times and score a pair of runs. Thompson, who turns 22 on Friday, has played just 20 games over the Single-A level, though, and remains highly regarded in the system.

Semien helped raise his stock with five hits over 11 at-bats in the Cactus League, including a home run and four RBIs. The sixth-round pick out of Cal has yet to play above the Single-A level.

All players involved in Monday's moves remain eligible to play for the White Sox in Cactus League games if needed.

CHICAGO -- The No. 1 prospect in the Boston Red Sox organization in 2009 is now a member of the Chicago White Sox.

First baseman Lars Anderson was claimed by the White Sox off waivers Friday, bringing the team's 40-man roster to a full compliment of 40 players.

Anderson, 25, was actually claimed off waivers from the Arizona Diamondbacks. The 6-foot-5, 195-pounder was traded twice last year, the first time in July from the Red Sox to the Cleveland Indians and then again in December from the Indians to the Diamondbacks.

He was designated for assignment by the Diamondbacks on Jan. 24.

Anderson, an 18th-round draft pick in 2006, has played in 30 major-league games for the Red Sox over three separate seasons, collecting eight hits in 48 at-bats (.167) with four RBIs.

After dominating the lower levels of the minor leagues, Anderson's production has tapered off in recent years. In 111 combined Triple-A games in the Red Sox and Indians organizations last season, he hit nine home runs and 59 RBIs with a .250 batting average and a .750 OPS.

Baseball America had ranked Anderson as the Red Sox's top farmhand heading into the 2009 season.

CHICAGO -- Peppered with questions all weekend about team icon he is replacing, new Chicago White Sox starting catcher Tyler Flowers turned to a familiar face and had just one request: “Don’t ask about A.J.”

He knew the request to not hear about A.J. Pierzynski was futile and he is actually acutely aware that the questions will likely never go away until he is able to settle in and become a productive White Sox catcher.

But even that knowledge can’t seem to prevent what appears to be an edge about Flowers. He has long grown tired of the waiting and just wants his opportunity to arrive already.

“I’m not lacking confidence,” Flowers said. “I think that’s one of the biggest things in this game. I’m not arrogant by any means so hopefully it doesn’t sound that way, but I am extremely confident I can handle the job. I’m a good catcher and I deserve to be here.”

But his confidence has been shaken at times. He was in line to take over the White Sox’s starting catcher job in 2011, but he hadn’t shown enough progress in the minor leagues and the White Sox re-signed Pierzynski for two more years.

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CHICAGO -- Traded away last season but not forgotten, the Chicago White Sox reacquired pitcher Zach Stewart on Thursday by claiming him off waivers from the Pittsburgh Pirates.

Stewart was traded to the Boston Red Sox last season along with Brent Lillibridge in the deal that netted the White Sox Kevin Youkilis.

Stewart made two humbling starts with the Red Sox after the trade (14 earned runs in 5 2/3 innings) and 11 more at Triple-A Pawtucket. In November he was traded to the Pirates and then designated for assignment on Jan. 17.

In 33 career big-league appearances (14 starts), the right-hander is 3-10 with a 6.82 ERA. In 28 appearances (nine starts) with the White Sox, he is 3-7 with a 6.14 ERA.

Stewart's career highlight was a perfect game through seven innings in 2011 for the White Sox against the Minnesota Twins. He ended up with a complete-game one-hitter.

If John Danks isn't ready to start the season on time after shoulder surgery last summer, Stewart figures to be in the mix to hold down a rotation spot until Danks returns.

CHICAGO -- Now that Kevin Youkilis has officially moved on from the Chicago White Sox it appears to be a matter of time before A.J. Pierzyynski does the same.

Reports revealed Tuesday evening that Youkilis had agreed to a one-year deal with the New York Yankees. Youkilis was reportedly considering a free-agent deal with the Cleveland Indians as well.

The White Sox were interested in keeping Youkilis and have the same feeling for Pierzynski, but the price tag for both was and is too high. Even with Youkilis out of the picture, the White Sox still don’t figure to have the resources to keep Pierzynski.

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CHICAGO -- Jeff Keppinger's broken right leg wasn't enough to derail his physical and affect his new contract with the Chicago White Sox.

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CHICAGO -- Phil Humber, who pitched a perfect game less than eight months ago, is no longer a member of the Chicago White Sox after he was claimed off waivers Friday by the Houston Astros.

In addition, infielder Dan Johnson was not tendered a contract for 2013 and neither was minor-league pitcher Anthony Carter.

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CHICAGO -- With one day remaining before the non-tender deadline, the Chicago White Sox are expected to open the door for the return of second baseman Gordon Beckham and outfielder Alejandro De Aza, but could decline on pitcher Phil Humber and infielder Dan Johnson.

If the arbitration-eligible Humber and Johnson are non-tendered they both become free agents. Both would still be able to sign free-agent deals with the club.

"We have talked to some agents this week about what we are thinking and where these things are likely headed so it's not going to come as a shock in the end should we decide ultimately to non-tender anybody," White Sox general manager Rick Hahn said. "But out of fairness to the player, those conversations will need to be had one-on-one before we discuss them publicly."

In Humber's case he could be looking at the end of his time with a club that gave him a chance at a solid 2011 season and a perfect game in 2012. But other than his perfecto, Humber struggled this past season posting a 5-5 record and a 6.44 ERA, ultimately losing his spot in the rotation.

Johnson spent most of last season at Triple-A Charlotte, but still made waves at the major league level when he hit three home runs in the season finale against the Cleveland Indians.

The deadline to tender deals to arbitration-eligible players is Friday at 11 p.m. CST.

GLENDALE, Ariz. -- The Chicago White Sox made 14 cuts to their roster on Monday, including former No. 1 draft pick Jared Mitchell and right-handed pitcher Nestor Molina, who was acquired from the Toronto Blue Jays for closer Sergio Santos in the offseason.

The Sox roster is now at 37 (16 pitchers, four catchers, 11 infielders and six outfielders).

“It’s a tough part of the game,” White Sox manager Robin Ventura said. "You just talk to them and be honest with them.”

Pitchers Anthony Carter, Simon Castro, Deunte Heath, Pedro Hernandez, Charlie Leesman, Jhan Marinez and Donnie Veal and infielder Ozzie Martinez were optioned to Triple-A Charlotte; Molina and pitcher Jose Quintana were optioned to Double-A Birmingham; and catcher Michael Blanke, infielder Tyler Kuhn and outfielders Mitchell and outfielder Trayce Thompson were reassigned to minor-league camp.

Right-hander Jesse Crain is still sidelined with a right-side oblique strain. Crain tried throwing some light tosses at 100 feet on Monday morning, but did not seem that encouraged with the session. Ventura said that he will not be concerned unless Crain isn’t ready to pitch the last week of spring training.

The White Sox will enjoy their lone off-day of the spring on Tuesday. Right-hander Phil Humber will pitch at minor league camp in order to stay on pace for the regular season.

CHICAGO –- The Chicago White Sox moved two players onto the 40-man roster Friday in advance of next month’s Rule 5 Draft.

Left-hander Charlie Leesman and right-hander Deunte Heath had their contracts purchased by the White Sox and will both get a look in major-league camp during spring training. Leesman was a non-roster invitee to big-league camp last season.

The moves mean that neither can be taken by other clubs in the Dec. 8 Rule 5 Draft that concludes the winter meetings in Dallas. Without the move to the 40-man they would have been unprotected by the White Sox because they both signed after they were 19 and have been in the club’s system for at least four years.

Leesman went 10-7 with a 4.03 ERA at Double-A Birmingham this past season. The 24-year-old led his club with 113 strikeouts and was named to the Southern League midseason All-Star team.

Heath, 26, progressed from the bullpen to the starting rotation for Triple-A Charlotte this past season. He went 4-7 with a 4.73 ERA with the Knights, recording 117 strikeouts in 30 appearances (16 starts). He also posted a 2-2 record and 2.37 ERA in six starts in the Venezuelan Winter League.

The White Sox’s 40-man roster is now at 36.

CHICAGO -- Fresh off announcing Robin Ventura as their new manager earlier in the week, the Chicago White Sox did a little housekeeping with their roster.

The White Sox made five moves Friday, one of which was to release right-hander Tony Pena, who underwent Tommy John surgery on Aug. 31.

The team also outrighted pitchers Kyle Cofield, Josh Kinney, Shane Lindsay and Leyson Septimo to Triple-A Charlotte.

All five players will become free agents.

Pena was 1-1 with a 6.20 ERA in 17 appearances before tearing the ulnar collateral ligament in his right elbow. Kinney appeared in 13 games with the White Sox, while Lindsay appeared in four. Lindsay became the first Australian-born player to appear for the White Sox.

Cofield and Septimo did not appear in the major leagues this season.

The White Sox’s 40-man roster is now at 36 players.

DETROIT – No offense to the two new pitchers who just arrived from Triple-A Charlotte to fortify the roster, but manager Ozzie Guillen has no intention of using either one of you.

Guillen means no disrespect to either, but if they don’t see any action that not only means the White Sox are playing competitive games, but meaningful ones as well.

Well, actually there is a way that right-handers Shane Lindsay and Addison Reed get in games without all hope being lost. The White Sox can possibly put together a laugher that both pitchers can clean up.

However it turns out, both have earned their promotion. Lindsay, who hails from Australia, posted a 2.18 ERA over 70 1/3 innings between Double-A Birmingham and Triple-A Charlotte. He had 90 strikeouts, although he did have 59 walks.

“To be honest it seemed like I was getting ahead of guys and then overdoing stuff, trying to make too good of a pitch when I was ahead of the count,” Lindsay said. “All of a sudden, 3-2 I was walking guys. It’s more of an approach thing I think, throwing strikes and getting ahead of guys. I just need to put them away.”

If Lindsay’s season was good, Reed’s was off the charts. He started at the low Single-A level this season, moved up to high A, found himself in Double-A and then Triple-A, where he made 11 appearences. He struck out a combined 111 batters this season, which led all minor-league relievers.

“I’m just trying to keep the ball down and keep them off balance,” Reed said. “Don’t try to do too much. If I start thinking, I get into trouble. I’m just trying to keep it out of my head and throw strikes.”

Guillen admitted he didn’t know much about either pitcher, but did see Lindsay plenty this spring. He trusts the player-development staff that both are ready for their moment in the spotlight.

“I think the scouting report is very good,” Guillen said. “I think there are a lot of people high on them. Hopefully they come to the big leagues and open people’s eyes and hopefully they have some fun here.”

So far so good for the pitchers who arrived in the clubhouse about three hours before game time and said their hellos. They also their pink backpacks with wings attached that the rookie pitchers will have to carry to the bullpen full of gum and sunflower seeds for the rest of the season.

It will be a sight to see, indeed, for both of their parents. Reed’s parents beat their son to Detroit by taking the red eye Thursday night from the Los Angeles area. Lindsay’s mother had an even rougher journey, flying from Australia at the last minute and arriving just before game time.

“It been pretty crazy,” Lindsay said. “I’ve been wanting it for a long, long time and working toward it. It’s pretty crazy. I’m a bit numb and a bit shocked. It’s cool.”