--Manager Ozzie Guillen continued to stress on Thursday that with hype already building about next week's three-game series in Minnesota, the Sox players better not overlook this weekend's series in Kansas City. The Sox are 3-3 at Kauffman Stadium this season, so it isn't as if they have feasted on the lowly Royals in Kansas City. "You can get out there and say because they're not in the pennant race, they're not going to win games," Guillen said. "They're going to play right. Like I said about Kansas City, if those guys pitch good, it's a good ballclub. It's all about pitching, and they play good against us. They really, really compete against us, especially back in Kansas City."
--3B Joe Crede was expected to contact team officials at some point this week and give them an update on what the second opinion with his back problems had discovered, but as of Thursday night, nothing had been heard. It's further evidence that the White Sox and the third baseman have no future together, with Crede entering free agency after the 2008 season concludes. --LHP Matt Thornton and RHP Bobby Jenks are really the only two relievers that manager Ozzie Guillen trusts right now, and that's why the fifth-year skipper is hoping his starting staff can start giving him at least seven innings over the final week-plus of the season. Guillen's difficulties with the bullpen were displayed Wednesday, when he kept rookie LHP Clayton Richard in just a bit too long, and when he did finally go with RHP Mike MacDougal, the reliever's wild pitch led to a New York lead. "Our bullpen is struggling right now," Guillen said, "and that's why I'm trying to keep the starters in as long as I can."
--OF Carlos Quentin went through a second day of motion drills without any setback. He will join the team Friday in Kansas City to take dry swings in the batting cage and continue to progress with work in the cage over the weekend. The Sox are still hoping that his fractured wrist has recovered enough to the point that he can return, but they will be cautious with him.
--1B Paul Konerko is 3-for-12 with a home run since returning Tuesday from a mild sprain of the MCL in his right knee. He continues to move well at first base, and he has reported no setbacks with the injury. Konerko will continue wearing a brace on the knee, as well as receive treatment to maintain the knee throughout his recovery.
BY THE NUMBERS: 9-30 -- The White Sox's record through Sept. 12 in games in which they had not hit a homer.
QUOTE TO NOTE: "The only thing a lot of people look at is the batting average, but I'm hitting decent power numbers -- maybe not to what I want, but close -- but I'm not going to grade myself. I grade myself on what the team does and right now it's an A because no one thought we would be in this position." -- 1B/OF Nick Swisher, on his season, despite his disappointing numbers.
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