--RHP Jose Contreras said his surgically repaired ruptured Achilles tendon feels strong, but that doesn't mean the Sox can count on him for next season. The best-case scenario for his return was late July or early August, but even that was doubtful because of the severity of the injury. "Things are going well mentally, but it isn't something I can rush," Contreras said through a translator. "I know it's something that is going to take time." Considering that Contreras' contract runs out after the 2009 season, there is a good chance that he has pitched his last game for the Sox.
--RHP Gavin Floyd will start Monday's makeup game against Detroit on three days' rest, and manager Ozzie Guillen knows the Sox will be seeing a familiar face -- former Sox pitcher Freddy Garcia -- on the mound opposing them. "Freddy wants to win," Guillen said. "Believe me. He's going to be ready to beat us. He's going to show up. He's got a lot of pride. He's going to show he can still pitch. It's a funny thing -- (Saturday) morning he sent text messages to all the family. The first thing he said was that it feels weird. I think we need to be prepared, because Freddy's a big-game pitcher." Garcia was a key figure in the 2005 World Series run but was traded after the 2006 season in the deal for Floyd. --OF Dewayne Wise was once again in the starting lineup on Sunday after Nick Swisher was given the chance to get a few starts and get something going. Swisher, however, went 1-for-7 and was hitting .133 in his last 27 games.
--LHP John Danks is the likely starter for Tuesday's game against Minnesota if it's necessary, but manager Ozzie Guillen still wasn't tipping his hand. Considering his alternatives, Danks might be his only choice.
--Neither Javier Vazquez nor A.J. Pierzynski would discuss their exchange of words on the mound Saturday, and that didn't change on Sunday. One witness, however, said that Pierzynski had told Vazquez to toughen up after he showed some bad body language when he didn't get a called strike, and Vazquez fired a few choice words in Pierzynski's direction.
BY THE NUMBERS: 2-14 -- The Sox's record on turf over their last 16 games after Minnesota swept three games from them last week at the Metrodome. It was the second time this season the Twins swept them there.
QUOTE TO NOTE: "Who wouldn't want speed? It's a rare commodity. But you put that team in this ballpark (U.S. Cellular Field), and you're going to have tough times. So I think you're always striving for a blend. And that's not going to change." -- GM Ken Williams, when asked if he would want to switch rosters with the Twins and their speedy lineup.
