Hand pain worse, so Beckham sits

DETROIT - At least Freddy Garcia made it through 2 innings Tuesday night.

The White Sox' 33-year-old starter had to leave early for the second straight outing with a stiff lower back, but second baseman Gordon Beckham never made it to the post.

Still bothered by a sore right hand, which was hit by a pitch from Indians reliever Frank Herrmann on Aug. 30 at Cleveland, Beckham was unable to play against the Tigers.

"The hand's bothering me," a frustrated Beckham said. "I'm having trouble swinging the bat, so I don't want to get in there and give us a less of a chance.

"This is the worst my hand's felt in three days of playing, and I don't know why it hurts worse now. This is the worst it's hurt."

X-rays revealed no fracture, but Beckham's hand still is noticeably swollen.

"I'm not sure if we'll get it looked at again or not," said Beckham, who had a four-day break after getting hit before going a combined 3-for-16 in the Sox' last four games before Tuesday.

"It's interesting because it seems like it hurts in a different place every day. The pain just moves around my hand.

"I don't know what we're going to do or anything. I can't swing a bat like I'm capable of, so I have to get out of there. I've got to give our team the best chance to win and I don't feel like - I can't really hold on to the bat. You need both hands to swing."

Konerko sits: Paul Konerko missed his second straight game with a sore back Tuesday, but he was feeling good enough to play.

"I was told to stand down for one more game," Konerko cracked.

Change in the booth: TV announcer Ken "Hawk" Harrelson was not in the booth Tuesday night, and he's expected to be absent until Friday due to a death in the family.

Harrelson's former partner, Tom Paciorek, filled in Tuesday, and he will pair up with Frank Thomas on Wednesday and Thursday. Thomas is going to sit in for Steve Stone.

Ready to go: J.J. Putz said his right knee feels good, and the right-handed reliever plans to come off the disabled list as scheduled Thursday.

"I feel really good," Putz said. "I had three really good bullpen sessions over the last week and everything seems sound."

Ozzie for Mayor? After Mayor Richard Daley announced he won't run for another term Tuesday, White Sox manager Ozzie Guillen jokingly Twittered he wants the job.

"That's a lot of heat," Guillen said. "That's a lot of things you've got to control. And he did an unbelievable job."

Around the horn: Before Tuesday's game, the Sox recalled infielder Dayan Viciedo and pitcher Carlos Torres from Class AAA Charlotte. They are carrying 32 players on the active roster. - Juan Pierre is the White Sox' nominee for the Roberto Clemente Award.