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Peavy appears close to returning

Jake Peavy is looking forward to his next rehab start in the minor leagues, which comes Thursday night.

It very well could be his last.

“That’s what I’m hoping for,” said Peavy, who was at U.S. Cellular Field on Monday to throw a bullpen session. “It’s been a long time, but I feel like I’m ready to get back here.”

Peavy will start for Class AAA Charlotte at Toledo and then head to the West Coast to hopefully rejoin the White Sox for good.

Last Friday, he pitched 5 innings for Charlotte and allowed on 3 runs on 7 hits while striking out eight.

“Finally felt like my old self,” Peavy said.

When he does return to the rotation, perhaps next week in Anaheim, Calif., Peavy could be one of six revolving Sox starters.

Before Monday night’s game against the Orioles, White Sox general manager Kenny Williams said talks have begun on ways to keep surprising No. 5 starter Phil Humber in the rotation on a part-time basis.

Williams is intrigued by using Humber to give the other starters a break from time to time, and it would also allow the White Sox to match up better.

“It’s something we just started talking about,” Williams said. “Of course, it’s not going to matter if we don’t start winning. But it’s something that could allow our starters to still be fresh late in the season.”

Running wild:The White Sox haven#146;t done much of anything right so far this season, and that includes stealing bases.Heading into Monday#146;s game against Baltimore the Sox were only 16 of 31 on steals, the worst percentage (52) in the major leagues.Devon White, the White Sox#146; minor-league baserunning instructor, was at the Cell on Monday giving pointers to Juan Pierre, Alex Rios and a few other players.#147;It#146;s very bad,#148; manager Ozzie Guillen said the Sox#146; lack of success stealing bases. #147;Sometimes we killed the rally (by getting caught).#148;Pierre led the majors with 68 stolen bases last season. The White Sox#146; leadoff man was nabbed again Monday and is 5-for-13 this year.#147;We talked to Juan,#148; Guillen said. #147;Juan knows about it. He#146;s looking at videos. I think the guys should be more aggressive on the bases. Don#146;t worry about what#146;s going to happen. I#146;d rather them to be thrown out at first (base) than second, try to make them get bigger jumps and don#146;t worry about being thrown out.#148;Super store:The White Sox announced plans to open a 13,000-square-foot flagship team store at U.S. Cellular Field. Set to open in the fall, the store will be located east of Gate 5.