--Hitting coach Greg Walker knows that there are numerous question marks surrounding the likes of youngsters Josh Fields and Chris Getz as well as starting CF Dewayne Wise, but Walker said those three showed last year and especially in spring camp that they could be better than people are expecting. "What I liked to see was not only did they win jobs, but they played at as high a level as anyone in camp," Walker said. "We're excited about them. We feel like what they do mechanically holds up and they are mentally strong kids, so they should be just fine."
--Manager Ozzie Guillen had a closed-door meeting with his players on Sunday, addressing several topics, including the fact that they may have bad weather to play through most of April, and they have to use that to their advantage. "I told the players if they want to play in nice weather, you better move to Miami or California," Guillen said. "When you sign a contract in Chicago, you always are going to have tough weather at the beginning of the season. We have to take advantage of that." --RHP Bartolo Colon finished the spring on Saturday by pitching five scoreless innings out of the bullpen, and gave the Sox even better news on Sunday, letting manager Ozzie Guillen know that he felt great, and had no setbacks with his right elbow. "I just talked to Colon (Sunday) morning to see how he feels after throwing that many innings," Guillen said. "He said he was fine. That's the good news. I might have better news for you (Monday) or the next day." That's when Guillen will decide where Colon falls in the rotation. They are debating whether to start him fourth or fifth.
--OF Dewayne Wise will lead off when the Sox take the field on Tuesday for the opener, after the club announced that Monday's game with Kansas City was postponed. Guillen also announced the rest of his starting lineup against the Royals during the Sunday workout. Following Wise will be Chris Getz, Carlos Quentin, Jim Thome, Jermaine Dye, Paul Konerko, A.J. Pierzynski, Alexei Ramirez and Josh Fields. Guillen also said that Getz remained "Plan B" for a the leadoff spot if a change is needed.
--C Corky Miller and RHP Mike MacDougal were added to the 40-man roster following Saturday's Cactus League finale. Miller will be used to back up Pierzynski, who usually catches five out of every seven games, while MacDougal is a middle reliever. As far as MacDougal, expect the team to have him on a short leash, however, especially if he falters early. Patience is very thin with the underachiever.
--OF Jerry Owens had been placed on waivers the last week of spring camp, but the club announced that the one-time high prospect cleared waivers and was sent outright to Class AAA Charlotte. Owens was placed on waivers after Dewayne Wise won the opening day center field job and Brian Anderson won the fourth outfielder spot. General manager Ken Williams said he would try and move Owens during the season, but couldn't promise anything.
--RHP Gavin Floyd was stellar in Cactus League play this past spring, and manager Ozzie Guillen is looking for big things from both he and John Danks this season. Enough that he wouldn't be surprised to see Floyd become a 20-game winner. "He should take it one day at a time," Guillen said. "The expectations are going to be high for him and Danks. Last year, they pitched in the biggest games we had all year and handled it real well. It (winning 20 games) would be nice for him, and if that guy has that type of year, we'll have a chance."
BY THE NUMBERS: .412 -- The batting average for opposing hitters the third time through the lineup for Clayton Richard in 2008. Hitters hit .226 the first time through, then .351 the second time.
QUOTE TO NOTE: "Defense is my game. If we don't play defense, we won't go anywhere. Only one reason, defense makes good pitching. If you make those plays, they're going to be better. You give outs away, instead of 27 outs, you'll make 30 outs." -- Manager Ozzie Guillen on the importance of his young infield playing good defense this season.
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