Chicago White Sox Roster Report 2009-04-10

The White Sox are surprised to have both Jose Contreras and Bartolo Colon back from injuries and ready to start the season in the rotation, and they also are pleased with the emergence of young players such as Josh Fields and Chris Getz. That doesn't mean the spring was all roses -- the team still is looking for a consistent leadoff hitter to emerge in April.

--RHP Jose Contreras will make his first start of the regular season Friday, and there will be a ton of emotions. After rupturing his left Achilles tendon in August, it was believed that he was going to be out until at least late July, possibly out for the entire 2009 campaign. Defying the odds was nothing new for Contreras, as he showed up to spring training healed and 30 pounds lighter. Now, he's hoping to solidify the back end of the rotation, starting with the game against the Twins. "What was special for me was the first day in spring training, and then I was building up from there," Contreras said through an interpreter. "Even though people were counting me out, doctors and everybody else, I'm very happy. I'm not going to hide it. I'm going to be very happy (Friday)."

--3B Josh Fields has been called on to do a lot more things this season, and starting this weekend the list could include leadoff duties. The Sox have yet to face a left-handed starting pitcher in the regular season, but that will change Saturday, when they face Twins LHP Francisco Liriano. "I might lead off Josh Fields," manager Ozzie Guillen said. "Josh Fields is not a typical leadoff guy, but he will get on base. He will give you good at bats. We've got a couple of options to see how that works."

--OF Dewayne Wise was the target of the home crowd's venom through the first two games of the season, especially because he had failed in the leadoff role early on (0-for-8). "I can't figure it out," Wise said of the criticism. "I was at home last night, and I was thinking about it. I was like, 'Wow, it's not just me that's not hitting.' I've kind of been the guy that's been singled out and taken all the heat. I guess this leadoff thing has been the topic all offseason and through the entire spring training, maybe it's because the fans wanted a veteran guy in that spot, a natural leadoff guy that's had success on this level in that spot. At the same time, everyone has their own opinion. I'm still going to go out there every opportunity that Ozzie gives me and make the most out of it. I believe in myself and I know I'm going to snap out of it."

--RHP Mike MacDougal made his season debut, recording one out and two hits before getting yanked to some boos. LHP Matt Thornton bailed MacDougal out of the seventh-inning jam, but MacDougal is working on a short leash and could be the first roster change the club makes if he continues to be shaky.

RHP Bartolo Colon (elbow surgery) showed enough this spring to be named the No. 5 starter, but LHP Clayton Richard is waiting in the wings if Colon struggles.

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

INF Jayson Nix (right quad) went on the 15-day disabled list retroactive to March 27. He injured the leg early in camp, missed a week and then tried coming back, only to suffer a setback.