Nate Jones (back) is still not ready for baseball activity.

Jones made just one appearance before going on the disabled list with a lower back injury. There's still no timetable for his return to the mound.

Nate Jones (back) has improved in recent days, but still doesn't have a timetable for when he can resume throwing.

The hard-throwing right-hander is dealing with a lower back injury that has been nagging at him since spring training. He still appears to be a few weeks away from rejoining the White Sox bullpen.

The White Sox clarified Thursday that Nate Jones is dealing with a lower back injury.

It was diagnosed as a glute injury in spring training and then as a hip injury when he went on the DL, but evidently the pain is more in Jones' lower back. "The glute was probably radiating from the back issue,'' GM Rick Hahn said. "He feels much better, which is good. We're going to hopefully have a few more days of him continuing to feel better before we start including baseball activity in his rehab. He's quiet right now, but the arrow seems to be pointing up.''

Nate Jones (hip) received an epidural after undergoing an MRI.

Jones was placed on the disabled list last week with a nagging muscle strain in his left hip. He's feeling better, but is unlikely to return when he's first eligible later this month.

White Sox manager Robin Ventura said Sunday that Nate Jones (hip) is likely to be out longer than 15 days.

Jones has dealt with a hip/glute issue since the beginning of spring training and has never fully recovered, so the club will take it slowly with him. It's been a rough beginning to the season for Jones, as he opened the year as a setup man instead of the closer as expected and now is out until at least late April.

White Sox placed RHP Nate Jones on the 15-day disabled list with a hip muscle strain.

The hip began bothering Jones at the beginning of spring training, and he aggravated the ailment during an appearance Thursday. It's not clear at this point how long he might be sidelined, but obviously he can't pitch his way into the closer role if he's on the DL. Matt Lindstrom will continue to work the ninth inning for the White Sox for now.

Nate Jones aggravated his left glute injury on Thursday.

Jones dealt with the ailment for the first few weeks of spring training. It at least partly explains Jones' struggles against the Twins Thursday, as he walked both of the batters he faced before being pulled. The reliever will be re-evaluated Friday before the White Sox determine how long he might be out.

Nate Jones walked both batters he faced Thursday and was charged with two runs against the Twins.

Since he was surprisingly bypassed in the closer's role, Jones has faced five batters in two games and retired none of them. He's been charged with four runs. We still believe in Jones, but he might get a little breather in Triple-A if he doesn't bounce back next time out.

Nate Jones failed to retire any of the three Twins he faced on Wednesday and was charged with two runs.

Jones was disappointed not to be named the White Sox closer, and his opening outing certainly won't help his case for claiming the job anytime soon. He walked Josh Willingham and then gave up a double to Jason Kubel and a single to Trevor Plouffe before being pulled today.

Nate Jones will open the season in a setup role.

Jones pitched well enough this spring to earn ninth-inning duties, but White Sox manager Robin Ventura decided to name Matt Lindstrom as the team's closer on Monday. Jones is still worth stashing in deep fantasy leagues because he's ultimately the better reliever.

Nate Jones (glue) made his Cactus League debut on Saturday, tossing a scoreless inning in a losing effort against the Diamondbacks.

Jones allowed a hit and a walk while striking out one in the game. He suffered a gluteal strain early in camp and was brought along slowly in an effort to avoid further injury. The 28-year-old hurler the favorite to begin the season as the White Sox closer, and if named to that role would have significant value in all mixed leagues.

Nate Jones (glute) is scheduled to make his Cactus League debut on Saturday.

Jones has been taking it easy in White Sox camp this spring due to a gluteal strain that he suffered in mid-February. He should be a full-go by the start of the 2014 regular season and remains the heavy favorite to take over as Chicago's new closer. Addison Reed was traded this winter to the Diamondbacks.

Nate Jones (glute) threw 40 pitches off a mound Wednesday and felt fine.

Jones has been slowed this spring due to a gluteal strain, but he could be ready to make his Cactus League debut on Saturday. The 28-year-old is the favorite to open the season as Chicago's closer.

Scott Merkin of MLB.com reports that Nate Jones (glute) could return to Cactus League action as soon as Saturday.

The 28-year-old has been limited since an early season gluteal strain, but threw a successful live batting practice session on Saturday and declated himself "ready to rock and roll". He still has plenty of time to claim the White Sox closer's job before the start of the regular season.

Nate Jones (glute) said he's "ready to rock and roll" after a 30-pitch live batting practice session Saturday.

Jones has been slowed early on in camp with a glute strain, but he's now back to 100 percent and should get in some games this week. The hard-throwing right-hander is the favorite to open the year as the White Sox' closer.

Nate Jones (glute) threw a successful live batting practice session on Friday.

He's expected to make his Cactus League debut later in the week provided he doesn't have any setbacks along the way. The hard-throwing right-hander still has plenty of time win the White Sox closer's battle and to get himself healthy and ready for Opening Day.

Nate Jones said Thursday that he no longer feels the effects of his early-spring gluteal strain.

Jones threw a bullpen session at 80 percent effort on Sunday and stepped up his intensity in another mound workout on Wednesday. He should be 100 percent for the start of the 2014 regular season and is the favorite right now to take over as the White Sox closer.

Nate Jones (glute) threw a bullpen session Sunday at about 80 percent effort.

Jones made 35 pitches and reported no issues. The right-hander has been slowed in White Sox camp by a glute strain, but it sounds like he's almost over it. Jones is considered the favorite for Chicago's opening at closer after fanning 89 batters in 78 innings last season.

Nate Jones (glute) played catch from 90 feet Thursday and could stretch it out to 150 feet Friday.

He should be able to begin throwing from a mound not long after that. Jones is a little bit behind some of the other pitches after reporting to camp with a left glute strain, but he should have plenty of time to catch up. He's considered the favorite to open the season as the White Sox' closer.

Nate Jones (glute) has started a few exercises, but is still limited.

Jones is a little bit behind some of the other pitches after reporting to camp with a left glute strain, but he should be ready to resume throwing soon. The 28-year-old has a legitimate shot at the closer role this season after the Addison Reed trade.