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Manny makes appearance, but Reinsdorf's rule doesn't

CLEVELAND - Manny Ramirez made his White Sox debut Wednesday afternoon, flowing dreadlocks and all.

Sox chairman Jerry Reinsdorf has a "personal appearance" rule, which he last enforced in 2006 when A.J. Pierzynski and Joe Crede were told to lose the long hair.

It remains unclear if that rule applies to Ramirez.

Reinsdorf and White Sox general manager Kenny Williams both declined to address the subject on Wednesday.

This is what Williams had to say about Ramirez's hair on Monday: "We have a certain way we like to have our players represent us, and that was discussed quite some time ago with one of my coaches. We'll just wait and let you see how they decide to handle it. From my understanding, it is not going to be an issue and (Ramirez) is going to make an adjustment and conform to how we like to have our players represented out there."

Freddy's OK: Sox starter Freddy Garcia had to leave Wednesday's game against the Indians with lower back stiffness after the fourth inning.

Garcia said his back felt tight before he even took the mound, but he had to exit after being unable to bend down on a Jayson Nix groundball that went for a single in the fourth.

"When I tried to get that groundball, I was like, 'Nah,'" Garcia said. "Right there I knew I couldn't go anymore. I tried to get out of that inning and I did. I told Ozzie (Guillen), 'Shut it down.'"

Garcia said he'll be ready to make his next start, Tuesday at Detroit.

First for Sale: With Bobby Jenks tired and unavailable Wednesday, rookie left-hander Chris Sale pitched the ninth inning and picked up his first major-league save.

Sale walked two batters and had to pitch over a bad throw from third baseman Mark Teahen, but he held the Indians scoreless.

"Awesome," manager Ozzie Guillen said. "I was a little nervous and concerned because we put this kid in a spot he never was in, but we had a lot of confidence to put him in that situation. He handled it pretty good. This kid has a good chance to be great. His presence on the mound is very positive and that's why I think he has the chance to become a pretty good pitcher."

Beckham update: Gordon Beckham's right hand was still noticeably swollen two days after he was hit by a pitch from Cleveland reliever Frank Herrmann.

"The swelling is about the same, but it's getting better," Beckham said. "It feels better."

Beckham is still not fully able to grip a bat, but he hopes to play against the Red Sox Friday.

"I tried to grip but it did not go over well," he said. "I can grip it but I just can't let it go through the zone. I haven't even really tried. I think it's very within reason to think I can play on Friday. I definitely couldn't do it the last two days, but I think another off day should do a lot of good."