--RHP Mike MacDougal did seem to put his dismal 2007 behind him, but it still didn't stop the inevitable that the bullpen needed a change. Following Saturday's 6-5 win over Baltimore, the club announced that MacDougal was sent down, while RHP Ehren Wasserman was recalled from Class AAA. Wasserman, 27, who made 33 appearances for the Sox last season, had not allowed a run in 7 2/3 innings for the Knights with six saves, ranking third in the International League. Last season, the right-hander was 1-1 with a 2.74 ERA in 33 appearances for the Sox.
"He's pitching well and closing games (in Charlotte,)" manager Ozzie Guillen said. "We need a guy who can pitch one or two innings, especially against right-handers, and help Octavio Dotel in tough situations." Dotel has been struggling this week as the seventh-inning set-up, and the Sox didn't trust MacDougal in those situations.
--LHP Mark Buehrle continued to show why he was the consummate team player, as well as doing all he could to save the bullpen. After pitching one inning on Friday's rainout, the Sox weren't going to use Buehrle in either of Saturday's doubleheader games. Instead, they were going to go with RHP Nick Masset out of the pen. But Buehrle convinced Guillen to pitch him in Game 2 to save the pen for a nasty road schedule the next few weeks. Buehrle went six innings, allowing three runs in the no-decision.
But Masset could still get a start this week. RHP Jose Contreras pitched Sunday, followed by Javier Vazquez on Monday. Gavin Floyd is scheduled to pitch Tuesday in the opener of a two-game series in Minnesota. Buehrle's turn would be next, but the Sox likely won't want to pitch him on three days of rest, possibly opting for Masset.
--RF Jermaine Dye missed his third straight game Sunday, as he continued to rest his sore left groin. He suffered the injury on Thursday against New York, and was forced out of the game in the seventh inning. Guillen's hope was to have his veteran outfielder back in the lineup for Monday afternoon's game with the Orioles.
"Right now, I'm shooting for him for (Monday)," Guillen said. "Every day, when the player tells me he's ready to play, I give him another day to make sure he's OK."
Dye said he was still feeling a bit sore, so he will be re-evaluated before the game.
--OF Brian Anderson got a start on Sunday, after he won Saturday's Game 2 of the doubleheader with the walk-off single. Anderson seems to be adjusting to his role as a reserve, which would be huge for him staying on the 25-man roster.
"There's not been playing time because we've only played 20-something games," Guillen said. "It's hard when you're a backup player early in the season to get some at-bats. He's going to see more playing time, especially right now with (Jermaine) Dye being hurt. Maybe I won't be able to count on (Dye) for the next couple days, and Brian will get more playing time."
--LF Carlos Quentin continued to impress the Sox and make them feel very good about the off-season trade to acquire him, as he went 2-for-2 on Sunday, to bring his average up to .288 with five homers and 19 RBIs. Left field was a hole for the Sox at the start of the season, but no longer. They have found their everyday guy.
"Carlos has had good (at-bats) since the first day I put him in the lineup," Guillen said. "He's always getting hit by a pitch at the right spot. I like it. This kid gives you everything he has every at-bat. I haven't seen him waste one at-bat yet."
BY THE NUMBERS: 12-12 -- The Sox' record through their first 24 games last season, compared to the 14-10 start this year. The big difference? At no point last season were they ever four games above .500.
QUOTE TO NOTE: "The most hilarious thing about him is he talks about himself in third person. It's like, 'Dirty 30" would do this or do that.' The whole infatuation he has with himself is funny. You don't see that many players into the fact that they love calling themselves 'Dirty 30.'" -- Sox third baseman Joe Crede, on teammate Nick Swisher.
