--LF/INF Nick Swisher was just one of the many Sox players to react to the Carlos Quentin injury news on Friday. "Obviously, it's a huge blow to our team," Swisher said. "We have to pull together and take this in the best way. I think it's a huge loss. It's hard to tell. With the power that he's provided, taking that out of the lineup, we have to pull together. The timing couldn't be worse. I hope he heals faster than any of us can imagine." Swisher will be one of those players to be leaned on in Quentin's absence because of the fracture in the right wrist, taking over left field duties.
--3B Joe Crede was once again out of the starting lineup on Friday, as his back problems are still an issue. Crede reiterated that he was still hopeful that he could be a factor the remaining three weeks, but manager Ozzie Guillen is still going with INF Juan Uribe. Uribe then made Guillen's decision easier to accept, hitting two homers against the Angels on Friday. --DH Jim Thome was back in the starting lineup on Friday, after only getting work as a pinch-hitter on Wednesday against Cleveland. Thome was dealing with a few minor bumps and bruises, and asked for rest in the series finale with Cleveland.
--OF Dewayne Wise was reinstated from the 15-day disabled list on Friday, after dealing with a strained left groin retroactive to Aug. 21. Wise will resume his role as a pinch-runner and part-time starter in center field, but his playing time will be limited now that the Sox will focus more on offense and OF Ken Griffey Jr. getting playing time.
--Manager Ozzie Guillen stressed on Friday that while Quentin will be missed, the team philosophy remained about pitching first. His feeling was if the Sox pitch like they are capable of doing, they have enough offense. Entering Friday, the club ranked third in the major leagues with 78 quality starts this season.
BY THE NUMBERS: 17-11 -- The Sox finished their August 17-11, which marked their sixth consecutive winning month since September 2007.
QUOTE TO NOTE: "Hopefully he'll be OK. It's unfortunate the way it happened. We have to move on. I won't make excuses, never did. We're in first place even with guys out of the lineup and even with guys struggling at the plate and hurt. But they give me the best they have and that's all you can ask." -- Sox manager Ozzie Guillen, on OF Carlos Quentin's wrist fracture.
Play FOX Fantasy Football Today >
