What was supposed to be a dream season for Dewayne Wise -- finally earning a starting job out of spring training after kicking around the minor leagues for years -- started off as a nightmare from Game 1.
After an 0-for-4 debut on opening day, Wise was already hearing the boos from the home crowd. It didn't get any easier the following day, as another 0-for-4 brought even more heat in Wise's direction. Manager Ozzie Guillen opted to move him down in the order after that Wednesday loss to Kansas City, wanting him to get his head right and his "aggressiveness back."
Wise was on that path, going 4-for-8 in the Twins series, and then singling in the top of the fifth inning Monday against Detroit. With two on and one out in the bottom of the fifth, the Tigers looked to get back into the game as Ramon Santiago laced a liner toward right-center for an apparent extra-base hit.
Wise made the diving catch, but he was instantly in pain, throwing the ball to the infield and then grimacing. It was later announced that he had a separated right shoulder and would miss six to eight weeks.
"Yes, I knew," outfielder Jermaine Dye replied when asked about the extent of the injury. "He told me it was his shoulder, and there was a knot. And I had the same thing happen to me before. I pretty much knew that he probably separated it. I don't know what the tests showed, but he's flying back to Chicago."
And Jerry Owens is likely flying into Detroit.
According to Guillen, unless general manager Ken Williams pulls a rabbit out of his hat and goes outside the organization for a center fielder, the club will give Brian Anderson a majority of the playing time there, while Owens will be called up from Class AAA Charlotte to be the fourth outfielder.
"Kenny made that decision because we need a center fielder right now," Guillen said. "Hopefully, Brian does the job. If not, I'll give Jerry a shot."
Owens was the leading candidate to win the center field/leadoff spot before spring camp, but he didn't perform well. He cleared waivers and was outrighted to the minors.
WHITE SOX 10, TIGERS 6: Lost in the Dewayne Wise injury was the fact that the Sox won their third straight game, with the offense once again staying hot. Jermaine Dye and Paul Konerko made history, each recording their 300th career homer with back-to-back shots in the second inning, but it was Carlos Quentin who won the team's home run derby, dialing long distance twice, his sixth career multi-homer game.
Chicago starter Gavin Floyd needed plenty of run support, as the right-hander had control problems all afternoon, allowing six runs on five hits and seven walks. The last Sox pitcher to walk seven and get the win was Jon Garland on April 9, 2004.
