GLENDALE, Ariz. -- Chicago White Sox staff ace Chris Sale was impressive in his first outing of the spring Wednesday, striking out 13 Cincinnati Reds minor leaguers in a six-inning outing.

The left-hander, who is on the mend since fracturing a bone in his right foot on Feb. 27, has advanced from bullpen sessions to batting practice to a simulated game to Wednesday's game all in a span of two weeks.

He will have one more outing at extended spring training Monday before a likely return to the White Sox's rotation April 12 at U.S. Cellular Field against the Minnesota Twins.

"I felt really good," Sale said. "It was nice to get back on the mound and do what I am supposed to do, honestly. It stinks being on rehab the whole time so it was nice to be a pitcher again and be in a game situation."

Working quickly, which he said was a nod to the hot day, Sale gave up just two hits. One of those was an opposite-field home run off a changeup to Taylor Sparks, a second-round draft pick last year. Sale actually worked 6 2/3 innings, getting five outs in his last inning so he could reach his pitch count of 90.

"I'm just trying to get outs," Sale said. "Results, they are what they are. The main thing is getting back out there, getting comfortable and pitching again."

His final outing in Arizona will come on the day that he was supposed to take the mound in Kansas City for the season opener. Jeff Samardzija will get that honor instead.

"It's probably better anyways; throw [the Royals] off a little bit," Sale said. "No, it's a fun day. Obviously I wish I could be there but things pop up and I'll take the ball when they give it to me."

Sale said he did not admit to any pain or soreness in his landing foot. He didn't field any comebackers and only made a move to cover first base on a couple of ground balls to the right side late in his outing.

"It feels fine," Sale said. "Everything has been progressing great. I feel like I can get back to normal. I feel like I'm back to where I need to be. I want to say six innings, 90 pitches so I'm building back up and should be ready to go when they need me."