1. LHP Mark Buehrle

2. RHP Gavin Floyd

3. LHP John Danks

4. RHP Jose Contreras

5. RHP Bartolo Colon

ROTATION ANALYSIS: While there are always concerns with Buehrle's workload, the White Sox have him penciled in to take the ball yet again for another 200-plus innings. Floyd and Danks showed last season that they can dominate and also that they can perform in big-game situations, as they did in late September.

The key for the rotation will be the health of veterans Contreras and Colon. Contreras showed up to camp 30 pounds lighter and months ahead of schedule after rupturing his left Achilles tendon. Colon had offseason cleanup surgery on his elbow and also came into spring camp further along than anticipated.

But even if Colon and Contreras stumble out of the gate, the White Sox feel good about LHP Clayton Richard and RHP Jeff Marquez jumping into their spots if need be.

BULLPEN:

RHP Bobby Jenks (closer)

RHP Scott Linebrink

RHP Octavio Dotel

LHP Matt Thornton

LHP Clayton Richard

RHP Jeff Marquez

RHP D.J. Carrasco/LHP Randy Williams

BULLPEN ANALYSIS: The White Sox had the back end of the bullpen written in pen before camp even started, and that didn't change. Jenks, Linebrink, Thornton and Dotel could be the best foursome in the Central if they all stay healthy.

What has the White Sox even a bit more excited is Thornton pitching in the World Baseball Classic and possibly gaining even more confidence about clutch situations. Don't be shocked if he closes games when Jenks needs a break.

Manager Ozzie Guillen had no choice but to go with 12 pitchers, mostly because Colon and Contreras need safety nets. That's where Marquez and Richard come in.

LINEUP:

1. CF Dewayne Wise/Jerry Owens

2. C A.J. Pierzynski

3. LF Carlos Quentin

4. DH Jim Thome

5. RF Jermaine Dye

6. 1B Paul Konerko

7. SS Alexei Ramirez

8. 3B Josh Fields

9. 2B Chris Getz

LINEUP ANALYSIS: The only thing set for manager Ozzie Guillen are his three-through-six hitters, as Quentin, Thome, Dye and Konerko give the White Sox as powerful a foursome as the Central Division has. The rest will remain moving parts as the season goes on and as guys respond.

Pierzynski probably will be the No. 2 hitter at the start, but Getz will be groomed for that spot and Ramirez and Fields give Guillen power at the bottom of the lineup as well.

What will change frequently at the start of the season is the leadoff hitter. Getz could eventually settle in there, but Wise and/or Owens will be given the first shot at it. Expect Guillen to do a lot of tinkering in April, however.

RESERVES:

C Corky Miller

INF Brent Lillibridge

INF Wilson Betemit

OF Brian Anderson

RESERVES ANALYSIS: Because Guillen has little choice but to take 12 pitchers, that limits his bench. That's also why he is taking as many versatile players as he can get his hands on. Betemit will back up Konerko and Fields at the corners, while Lillibridge is a middle-infield reserve who can also play center field. Anderson is a right-handed hitter who gives Guillen the best glove in the outfield.

Miller will see playing time against tough left-handed pitchers, but Pierzynski is a workhorse who will start an average of five out of every seven games.

ROOKIE WATCH: 2B/SS Gordon Beckham was the talk of the camp midway through and will be waiting in the wings if Chris Getz stumbles at second. Beckham showed why he was a top-10 pick and looks to be major league ready despite only 14 minor league games last year. LHP Aaron Poreda, also a former first-round pick, would be an option if the White Sox need a different lefty out of the bullpen.

MEDICAL WATCH:

RHP Bartolo Colon (elbow surgery) made two Cactus League appearances and seems ready to win a starting job. The White Sox are going to be careful with the veteran, monitoring his pitch counts and bringing him along slowly.

RHP Jose Contreras (ruptured Achilles tendon in August 2008) has been the talk of the camp, not only showing up 30 pounds lighter but also three months ahead of schedule. He is in the regular starting rotation now and ran through all of the pitching drills with no setbacks.

INF Jayson Nix (right quad) injured the leg earlier in camp, missed a week and then tried coming back, only to suffer a setback. The injury has likely cost him a roster spot.