Buehrle set after sparkling spring

GLENDALE, Ariz. - Let's just say Mark Buehrle is ready for Opening Day.

In his final spring tuneup Tuesday, the left-hander pitched 5 scoreless innings in the White Sox' 2-0 win over the Athletics to finish with a 2.08 ERA.

Since moving their training camp to Arizona in 1998, that is the third-lowest ERA by a Sox starting pitcher.

Buehrle still holds the record with a 1.13 ERA in 2003, and Josh Stewart had a 2.05 ERA that same spring.

Never one to put too much emphasis on exhibition games, Buehrle was nonetheless pleased with his camp.

"Definitely going into the season it gets your confidence up, knowing you're making your pitches and getting guys out," Buehrle said. "Obviously results don't matter down here, but at the same time you want to get people out. Going into the season it gives you a little extra confidence.''

Buehrle said the off-season work he did to build shoulder strength paid off this spring.

"I think so," he said. "When I play long toss it seems like I feel better. It feels like I can stretch it out a little bit more than I have in the past."

Nix edges Lillibridge: Manager Ozzie Guillen said the most difficult roster cut Tuesday came down between utility infielders Jayson Nix and Brent Lillibridge.

Nix won out while Lillibridge was optioned to Class AAA Charlotte.

"It was a tough situation," Guillen said. "Both started playing better in the end of spring training. The last two years they've been fighting for a job. I think Nix impressed everybody and did a better job."

Linebrink struggling: Scott Linebrink was looking forward to a strong spring after a tough 20098 season, but the veteran relief pitcher is 0-1 with a 6.48 ERA.

The right-hander said his health is fine, but he has to be better getting ahead in the count and maintaining his balance.

"I talked to him," Guillen said. "I think to me his health, it's a big part of the issue. And if he's healthy, we're going to find a way to help him get through this."

Up to speed: Ozzie Guillen wants the Sox to run more this season, and every player had the green light up until Monday night's Cactus League game against the Angels.

Guillen asked the White Sox' PR staff to check spring stolen base numbers since he became manager in 2004, and the new philosophy is paying off with 33 steals this spring.

The Sox had 31 stolen bases in 2005, but dropped to 26 in 2004, 14 in '06, 26 in '07, 14 in '08 and 26 last spring.