Both right-handers are scheduled to throw batting practice at Chicago White Sox camp Monday, the next step after each threw 55 pitches in a bullpen session Saturday without any problem.

"It was a very positive day," pitching coach Don Cooper said. "We're more and more excited about their chances to be ready to open the season."

It was the third bullpen session since Monday for Contreras and Colon. Without setbacks, they could see Cactus League action in about a week.

If Contreras and Colon are ready for opening day, that could fill out the White Sox rotation behind Mark Buehrle, John Danks and Gavin Floyd. That would send left-hander Clayton Richard and right-hander Jeff Marquez to the bullpen or Triple-A.

Richard threw four shutout innings in the White Sox's 2-1 loss to Texas on Saturday. Marquez had thrown five shutout innings in two spring starts.

"They cannot plan themselves out. I love the way those two kids throw," manager Ozzie Guillen said after the game against Texas. "If they continue to throw like that, I might take them. ... When I came here, those two guys were in my mind. I was not counting on Colon or Contreras. And they're still on my mind just in case something happens."

Contreras is more than three months ahead of schedule after rupturing his left Achilles' tendon last August. Colon is coming off offseason surgery to clean up some bone chips in his right elbow.

Contreras was 7-6 with a 4.54 ERA in 20 starts for the White Sox last season.

Colon, the 2005 AL Cy Young Award winner, is 150-97 with a 4.09 ERA and 1,569 strikeouts over 12 seasons with Cleveland (1997-2002), Montreal (2002), the White Sox (2003), Angels (2004-07) and Boston (2008). He returned to the White Sox for a second stint in January when he agreed to a $1 million, one-year contract that could earn him an additional $2 million in performance bonuses.

Chicago White sox News News » Contreras, Colon ready to face hitters 2009-03-08
Contreras, Colon ready to face hitters 2009-03-08
PHOENIX (AP) - Jose Contreras and Bartolo Colon are ready to face hitters. MLB Spring Training