GLENDALE, Ariz. -- For now, the Chicago White Sox are downplaying arm soreness being experienced by both David Robertson and Jake Petricka, both of whom are expected to be key members of the bullpen.

Robertson, who has been on his own self-made preparation schedule, did throw a bullpen session Thursday and said he still is looking to pitch in games on back-to-back days before spring training ends next week.

“I don’t think anything is wrong; I’m not going for MRIs or anything like that,” Robertson said. “I’ve just got a little soreness. This late in the (spring), I don’t want to sit there and push something and end up being injured for the start of the season.”

The right-hander said it wasn’t necessarily the classic “dead arm” that many pitchers experience midway through spring training, putting the discomfort in the area of his elbow and forearm.

“It’s just you tweak something, you have a little soreness,” Robertson said. “You just try to get it right. Spring training, these games don’t count. I want to be ready for the games that do count.”

Manager Robin Ventura is taking the optimistic approach toward both pitchers with less than two weeks remaining before Opening Day.

“I think we have a few guys that are (going through) that right now,” Ventura said. “When they are ready to go, they are ready to go. I don’t think it’s anything that’s going to make them miss the start of the season.”

At issue, then, would be the ability of the coaching staff to line up roles for the relievers. Assuming Robertson is fine to close, the White Sox are still trying to determine who would pitch the seventh and eighth innings.

“Yeah, you want to see them hitting their days when they are going to pitch in games,” Ventura said. “Sometimes when you don’t do that, it’s a little more difficult if you have decisions to make.”