ESPN

The Chicago White Sox are ready for Opening Day as the team made its final cuts on Saturday, sending six players to the minor leagues.

Chicago will start the 2012 season with four rookies on its roster and four relief pitchers with less than 70 big league innings pitched.

The White Sox’s roster composition dispels the notion that a team should not decide on who makes the 25-man roster by spring training results.

“That is part of me coming in here (as manager) and seeing these guys for the first time,” Robin Ventura said. “It is about going back to see what you have done in the past. I am happy with what I have.”

As far as the final cuts go, infielder Eduardo Escobar beat out veteran Dan Johnson for a utility role while RHP Nate Jones and LHP Hector Santiago captured the last two bullpen spots. Brian Bruney and Dylan Axelrod where reassigned.

Ventura has yet to name his closer. The competition is between Matt Thornton and rookie Addison Reed. The manager said he would make a decision on that role before the team breaks camp Monday afternoon.

GLENDALE, Ariz. -- It’ll be Team Konerko vs. Team Dunn for this afternoon’s intrasquad game.

The Team Dunn starting lineup:

SS Brent Lillibridge

C A.J. Pierzynski

DH Adam Dunn

3B Brent Morel

LF Dayan Viciedo

1B Dan Johnson

CF Jordan Danks

2B Eduardo Escobar

Chris Sale will start for Team Dunn with Brian Omogrosso and Donnie Veal in the bullpen.

The Team Konerko starting lineup:

CF Alejandro De Aza

2B Gordon Beckham

RF Alex Rios

DH Paul Konerko

SS Alexei Ramirez

C Tyler Flowers

1B Jim Gallagher

3B Dallas McPherson

LF Jared Mitchell

Gavin Floyd will start for Team Konerko with Eric Stults and Jacob Petricka in the bullpen.

The Chicago White Sox signed infielder Dan Johnson to a minor league contract, the team announced on Friday.

The left-handed-hitting Johnson, 32, split his time between the Tampa Bay Rays and their Triple-A affiliate Durham. Johnson batted .119 with two home runs and four RBIs in 31 games with the Rays and hit .273 with 13 homers and 52 RBIs at Durham.

Originally drafted by the Athletics, Johnson had his best season in 2005 when he batted .275 with 15 home runs and 58 RBIs with Oakland.