--3B Joe Crede may have played his final game with the Sox. The All-Star left the team over the weekend to seek a second medical opinion on his ailing back. "I'm not going to count on Crede for a long time," manager Ozzie Guillen said. "He's going to have a second opinion on his back. I don't expect him to be back anytime soon. I have to be honest with you because I'm tired of people asking me the same question about Joe. Joe is not going to be with us, and I don't expect him to be back (this) season. I don't know if it's going to be true or not. That's my plan."
Crede, 30, had back surgery last season and played well enough in the first half to earn his first All-Star Game selection. But he began experiencing pain in late July and went on the disabled list July 25 with what was diagnosed as back lumbar inflammation. He had two setbacks during his minor league rehab with recurrent back pain, but he was reinstated Aug. 24. --RHP Scott Linebrink saw action in both Friday's win over the Angels and Sunday's loss, but came out of the weekend series feeling real good about where he was after missing almost six weeks with shoulder inflammation. He pitched scoreless ball in both appearances. "It's always good to get back on the horse and to feel good like I do," Linebrink said.
--C Toby Hall gave A.J. Pierzynski a breather on Sunday, hitting his second homer of the year in the loss to the Angels. Pierzynski will be back in the starting lineup Monday, however.
--RHP Charlie Haeger was going to give the Sox a weapon on the pitching staff two years ago, as his knuckleball ability was highly touted by the organization. But spending resources and time trying to get his knuckleball perfected, the Sox obviously didn't see him progressing to their liking. That's why they made the decision to designate him for assignment with the chance they could lose him on the waiver process, opting to purchase the contract of speedy INF/OF Jason Bourgeois and adding him to the list of September call-ups. Bourgeois is a rookie who hit .286 with nine homers, 48 RBIs and 30 steals in 127 games with Charlotte. Manager Ozzie Guillen wanted another weapon off the bench.
--RHP Jose Contreras made a visit to the clubhouse over the weekend, but it will be at least next summer before he can expect to return after rupturing his left Achilles tendon last month. Contreras made his first brief clubhouse appearance since the injury Friday, then stayed at length Saturday. "(Friday) was the first day of rehab, and the doctor said it's healing well," he said through a translator. Contreras is using crutches, and his left leg is in a surgical boot. Doctors have told him the typical recovery time is nine to 12 months. "It's frustrating sitting at home and watching the team and not being able to contribute, but I'm glad they're doing as well as they are," he said.
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.
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