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Dunn arrives early and ready to work

GLENDALE, Ariz. -- Adam Dunn arrived at spring training on Saturday a few days early, and despite the questions reporters threw his way, the veteran never specifically addressed his forgettable last season.

Dunn seems more than ready to put it behind him, if he hasn’t already, as he enters his second spring training with the Chicago White Sox. When a reporter asked Dunn if he thinks he can return to form after posting a career-worst .159 average and 42 RBIs, Dunn paused, let out a short sigh and said, “Yeah.”

Dunn looks forward to talking more with new hitting coach Jeff Manto about how he will approach the season. Dunn said he’s spoken to Manto a few times since Sox Fest and added that it’s too early to see any possible benefit from taking batting practice during the offseason, something he hasn’t done in years.

“Ah, no, other than I’ll probably be a little better in BP than normal,” he said. “Other than that, I don’t know.”

But Dunn was adamant that a hot spring probably won’t mean a thing come regular season. His goal is to be ready for Opening Day.

“It doesn’t matter to me if I go out and hit .500 with 20 home runs in the spring,” he said. “It probably won’t translate over to the season.”