Guillen says Sox roster almost set

GLENDALE, Ariz. - The White Sox play a night game against the Angels on Monday, and there is a chance the final roster could be finalized before they take the field.

"I've got mine (team)," manager Ozzie Guillen said. "Maybe we make that decision and move on and play a couple days with the team we're going to play. It's funny. You walk around and you don't know if you made the club or not. Everyone is packing. That's why we like to do that as soon as we can."

The Sox break camp Thursday, and they still have 32 players for 25 spots - 16 pitchers, three catchers, eight infielders and five outfielders.

The White Sox figure to enter the season with 12 pitchers, 11 position players and two catchers.

The biggest battle is still for the final bullpen spot where it's come down to Sergio Santos and Greg Aquino.

Santos is a converted shortstop with a power arm, but he had his second straight rocky outing Sunday (1 run on 2 hits in 11/3 innings) after opening the Cactus League with five straight scoreless appearances.

Greg Aquino, a 32-year-old journeyman who was 1-2 with a 4.50 ERA in 10 games with the Indians last season, has appeared in 10 games this spring and pitched 101/3 scoreless innings.

"This kid, everything he does is throw zeros on the board," Guillen said. "It's going to be a tough call. We have to wait and see what the next step is going to be for us."

Beckham's back: After missing two games with soreness in his left side, second baseman Gordon Beckham was back in the White Sox' lineup Sunday in a split-squad game against the Rangers.

To prepare for his return, bench coach Joey Cora hit 100 groundballs to Beckham Sunday morning.

"I told, him, 'Thanks a lot for easing me back in,' " Beckham said with a pained grin. "But it feels good. It's a little tender, but I don't really feel anything. I'm just glad it's not an oblique."

Beckham strained a muscle right above his left hip during batting practice Friday. On Sunday, he went 1-for-3 with a walk.

"The side feels good," Beckham said. "I've got some issues, just some tweaks I need to keep under close watch and that's fine."

Castro's OK: Backup catcher Ramon Castro made an early exit from Sunday's split-squad game against the Rangers with a bruised right heel.

In the third inning, Castro doubled and hit his heel rounding first base. Afterward, Castro said he was fine.