Giolito (chest) is starting Friday's Cactus League game versus the Cubs, LaMond Pope of the Chicago Tribune reports.

EDGE Analysis

The 25-year-old was listed as Friday's expected starter, and he's now confirmed for his spring debut after battling a strained chest muscle over the past few weeks. Giolito should have plenty of time to get stretched out over a few more starts in his preparations for Opening Day.

Giolito (chest) will make his spring debut Friday against the Cubs, Daryl Van Schouwen of the Chicago Sun-Times reports.

EDGE Analysis

Giolito has been dealing with a strained chest muscle since early in camp. He's been brought along gradually, but his readiness for Opening Day never appeared to be seriously threatened. Assuming Friday's outing goes smoothly, he'll still have time to make a few more starts before the regular season begins.

Giolito (chest) threw a 30-pitch live batting practice session Sunday, Mark Feinsand of MLB.com reports.

EDGE Analysis

The White Sox have brought Giolito along at a measured pace but never expressed doubt he'd be ready for Opening Day. Manager Rick Renteria didn't offer a date for when Giolito will face batters in game action, but he acknowledged that it won't be too much longer, perhaps as early as this week.

Giolito (chest) could make his Cactus League debut later this week, Daryl Van Schouwen of the Chicago Sun-Times reports.

EDGE Analysis

Giolito has been recovering from a strained muscle in his rib cage area in the early parts of spring training, but his return to game action appears to be on the horizon. The 25-year-old has thrown live batting practice and multiple bullpen sessions, so he appears clear of any significant hurdles for his spring training debut.

Giolito (chest) completed his third bullpen session of the spring Thursday, Daryl Van Schouwen of the Chicago Sun-Times reports.

EDGE Analysis

Giolito came out of the workout feeling positive about his health and said he expects his next throwing session to be a live batting practice session. If Giolito experiences no issues while facing hitters, he could advance to pitching in a simulated game or Cactus League game, likely at some point during the upcoming week. Coming off a breakout 2019 campaign, Giolito still looks like he'll have enough time to prove his health this spring and keep himself in line for the White Sox's Opening Day starting assignment.

Giolito (chest) threw his second bullpen session of the spring Tuesday, Scott Merkin of MLB.com reports.

EDGE Analysis

Giolito was able to incorporate sliders and curveballs during this session, a sign that the team's ace is moving in the right direction. The right-hander has another session scheduled for Friday. The White Sox are more focused on having a full healthy Giolito than allotting him a set amount of spring starts, but manager Rick Renteria stressed the importance of having him face batters in the Cactus League before the regular season commences.

Giolito (chest) said he felt "100 percent" after completing a bullpen session Saturday, Scott Merkin of MLB.com reports.

EDGE Analysis

The right-hander is off to a late start in spring training due to a strained chest muscle, but he was able to mix in his off-speed pitches with no issues Saturday. Giolito never expressed any concern about his potential availability for Opening Day, and live batting practice could be up next this week following the successful bullpen.

Giolito (chest) said he felt good while throwing off flat ground from 150 feet Tuesday, Daryl Van Schouwen of the Chicago Sun-Times reports. He expects to progress to mound work by the end of the week.

EDGE Analysis

Giolito will be behind his fellow rotation mates after he reported to camp last week with a strained chest muscle, but the right-hander has no doubts about his availability for the March 26 season opener. The fact that he's still able to do some throwing supports that sentiment, and his progression to a bullpen session will represent another step forward in the recovery process. Assuming Giolito's chest provides no further complications as he advances through his rehab, he should be ready to make his Cactus League debut by the end of the month or in the first week of March.

Giolito is "zero percent" concerned about his rib-cage strain and threw from 120 feet without issues Wednesday, James Fegan of The Athletic reports.

EDGE Analysis

Giolito is expected to miss the first few spring training games due to the issue, but it doesn't appear as though his regular season will be at all threatened. The 25-year-old will be looking to build upon a breakout 2019 campaign which saw him slash his ERA from 6.13 to 3.41.

Giolito is dealing with a strained muscle in his rib-cage area and is expected to miss the first week of Cactus League action, James Fegan of The Athletic reports.

EDGE Analysis

Giolito made a pair of brief trips to the injured list during his breakout 2019 campaign, first for a hamstring strain in April and later for a lat strain in September, ending his season prematurely. The lat issue doesn't appear to have carried over into this season, but he's now dealing with a new problem. The rib-cage strain isn't expected to affect his availability for Opening Day but is nonetheless something to monitor.