The team's front office and coaching staff had been saying all along that the team would give off a "different look" this season, especially on the offensive side of the ball, but it's still homer or bust through the first handful of games. The one aspect of the team that has lived up to expectations was the starting staff, with all five giving the Sox a chance to win and keeping them in the game.
PLAYER NEWS: --RHP Bartolo Colon continued to look pretty sharp on Friday, despite offseason elbow surgery and a shortened spring camp, but manager Ozzie Guillen said that he will keep the veteran on a pitch count for the time being, as he will with all of his starters the next few weeks. "Early in the season, it doesn't matter who is on the mound, I'm not going to overuse him," Guillen said. "You see (John) Danks (Thursday) throw the ball well, but 90 and 100 pitches, out. We have to build those guys a little to make sure we keep them strong all summer."
--C Corky Miller is battling sore feet, according to manager Ozzie Guillen, but the hope is to have the backup catcher ready to go on Saturday, with the Rays throwing LHP Scott Kazmir. That would give A.J. Pierzynski Saturday night off, and have him ready for the Sunday afternoon get-away day game. As a matter of fact, Guillen said he was hoping to use a mostly right-handed lineup against Kazmir, which could mean Jim Thome is sitting and Paul Konerko will DH.
--OF Brian Anderson was back in the starting lineup on Friday, despite his struggles, as manager Ozzie Guillen wants to give him a long enough rope for him to either run with it or hang himself. The hope is Anderson is turning the corner, after he picked up a late single in Thursday's win, and then started Friday off with a single and a walk. Time will tell how long Guillen sticks with him, however.
MEDICAL WATCH:
2B Chris Getz (bruised right elbow) was hurt April 12, and he didn't play April 13 or 15. He started on April 16.
CF Dewayne Wise (separated right shoulder) went on the 15-day disabled list April 14. He is expected to be out until June.
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. He is out indefinitely.
ROTATION:
LHP Mark Buehrle
RHP Gavin Floyd
RHP Jose Contreras
LHP John Danks
RHP Bartolo Colon
BULLPEN:
RHP Bobby Jenks (closer)
RHP Scott Linebrink
RHP Octavio Dotel
LHP Matt Thornton
LHP Clayton Richard
RHP Mike MacDougal
RHP D.J. Carrasco
CATCHERS:
A.J. Pierzynski
Corky Miller
INFIELDERS:
1B Paul Konerko
2B Chris Getz
SS Alexei Ramirez
3B Josh Fields
DH Jim Thome
INF Brent Lillibridge
INF Wilson Betemit
OUTFIELDERS:
LF Carlos Quentin
CF Brian Anderson
RF Jermaine Dye
OF Jerry Owens
