Matt Thornton (elbow) threw a 40-pitch live batting practice Wednesday with no issues.

Matt Thornton (elbow) threw a 35-pitch bullpen session Sunday with no issues. He was able to mix in all of his pitches during the session. Thornton had been dealing with some inflammation in his pitching elbow, but it appears he's now ready to roll.

Matt Thornton (elbow) played catch Thursday without incident. "The MRI was extremely over the top precautionary," said Thornton. "It was the back side of the elbow and the ligaments are fine. It's probably just tendinitis I'm guessing, whatever you want to call it. I'll get that area under control and move forward. I'm fine." Thornton expects to play catch again before progressing to a bullpen session and eventually live batting practice. He's aiming to make his Cactus League debut on March 5, so he should have plenty of time to get ready for Opening Day.

Matt Thornton (elbow) plans to play catch Thursday. Thornton was diagnosed with inflammation in his elbow earlier this week following an MRI, but he said Wednesday that the pain doesn't compare to what he dealt with back in 2010. The veteran southpaw should only need a few outings to get ready for the season, so the White Sox will likely ease him into action.

Matt Thornton (elbow) said Wednesday that he'll resume throwing in two days. Thorton underwent an MRI on Tuesday which showed inflammation in his elbow, but no structural damage. The veteran southpaw is confident that it won't be a lingering issue.

An MRI on Matt Thornton's left elbow showed inflammation. Thornton didn't participate in Tuesday's workouts due to elbow discomfort. The MRI didn't show reveal any structural damage, so while it would be better if he didn't need the MRI at all, things could have been worse. However, it's not clear when he'll resume throwing.

Matt Thornton was held out of workouts Tuesday due to elbow discomfort. It's not clear how long he'll be sidelined. Thornton, 36, had a 3.46 ERA and 53/17 K/BB ratio over 65 innings last season and is owed $5.5 million in 2013.

Matt Thornton has allowed a total of four hits and four earned runs in his past two relief appearances. Thornton's ERA was at 0.82 at the end of April and is already up to 3.75 here on May 7. The White Sox have transferred starter Chris Sale back to the bullpen in a desperation move to shore up some of their late-inning issues. Thornton might be asked to pitch in low-pressure situations for the next couple of games.

White Sox manager Robin Ventura indicated Friday that who he uses as a closer could depend on the matchup. Obviously, it's not what fantasy owners want to hear, and it's the opposite of what pitching coach Don Cooper said in the Chicago Sun-Times. "No, we are not doing committee,'' Cooper said. "There will be a set closer.'' Matt Thornton is still probably the best bet for saves, but Jesse Crain, Addison Reed and Hector Santiago could all be in the mix.

Daryl Van Schouwen of the Chicago Sun-Times writes that the "smart money" is on Matt Thornton opening the season as the White Sox closer. It makes sense, as manager Robin Ventura recently referred to Thornton and Jesse Crain are the "best options" for the job, and Crain is out with an oblique injury. Addison Reed is the closer of the future, but the Sox are expected to bring him along in a setup role first. Ventura said he might not officially name a closer until the team's last two exhibition games.