Peavy knows Sox' gamble includes him

The all-in White Sox have not gone all out, as some fans had feared and others had encouraged.But barring further transactions, they're not quite as far in as they were a few days ago.One reason is the six-man rotation that protected Jake Peavy and Philip Humber is now at five with the departure of Edwin Jackson.And Peavy said Wednesday before the White Sox defeated the Tigers 2-1 on the South Side that he's nowhere near 100 percent, and is well aware of his 75-pitch wall.#8220;I want to be here for this team, but I can't make any promises,#8221; Peavy said as we stood near the hitting cages under the stands. #8220;I'll prepare mentally and physically as best I can and let the chips fall.#8220;But I have a long way to go before I get back to who I want to be. It's obviously not going to happen this year.#8221;It's been just over a year since Peavy suffered a torn lat that cost him not just last season but an off-season of training, all of which would explain the lack of velocity and endurance.#8220;I see signs that excite me,#8221; Peavy said. #8220;For a couple innings (Tuesday) night I had some stuff that felt like the pre-Chicago stuff. But the bottom line is arm strength.#8221;And a lack of arm strength is the reason he's been cashing out at about 75 pitches.As for whether there will be a point down the stretch when he can be effective beyond that pitch limit, Peavy said, #8220;I certainly hope so, but I don't know when and where it's going to come back. #8220;I'm looking forward to a normal winter of training that will get me back to where I'm supposed to be. But for now I can't think about anything but this race. I have to have a couple big months and give my team a chance to win every time out.#8220;I know I'm not me yet, not back to being where I was a couple years ago, but I'm on my way back.#8221;It's probably unreasonable to think the Peavy of the next two months #8212; if he can stay on the mound #8212; will look much different from the Peavy of the last two months.In particular, it hasn't been pretty the last month after a 55-pitch relief appearance on two days' rest. In the 5 starts since, Peavy has gone 0-3 with a 6.67 ERA and an opponents' batting average of .333.#8220;My arm felt great that day but it definitely set me back a little,#8221; Peavy said. #8220;There's no ifs, ands or buts about it. Strength-wise, it really took a toll, but the time off at the break helped and that (8 days off) was some much-needed rest.#8220;After that (relief stint June 25), I wasn't even throwing 90 mph. I was at like 85-88. (Tuesday) night in the first inning I was throwing cutters at 90 mph, so it's all about arm strength.#8220;I felt much better against Kansas City and then (Tuesday) night I felt great for about 75 pitches, but it's nothing like pre-Chicago when I could let it all hang out from the first pitch. Now I'm hitting that wall there.#8220;I hope it gets better but arm strength is an issue, and considering the last year and the surgery and all, that's where we are.#8221;So it's a gamble giving up a starter, but GM Ken Williams saved $9.5 million Wednesday #8212; something he said he needed to do #8212; got himself a righty reliever in Jason Frasor to take the load off Jesse Crain, and the Sox believe they picked up a future starter in righty Zach Stewart.Williams says he may still buy if given the opportunity and creativity, while the call-up of Alejandro De Aza paid off immediately as Alex Rios sat and watched De Aza hit a 2-run homer and play a flawless center field.#8220;It's a message to everyone,#8221; Williams said. #8220;I told Ozzie (Guillen), #8216;Do not worry about the size of someone's contract.' It's not Ozzie's problem and it's not Jerry Reinsdorf's problem and not the coaches' problem. It's my problem.#8220;If we have $30 million on the bench, that's my problem.#8221;It wasn't a problem Wednesday as John Danks tied a career high with 10 strikeouts, Chris Sale was brilliant for 2#8532; innings of relief, and the Sox moved back to within 3frac12; games of Detroit.#8220;We continue to fight,#8221; Guillen said. #8220;This series is over and now we have to worry about the next one.#8221;It's probably safe to say it won't be the last worry for Guillen this season.brozner@dailyherald.com

#376; Listen to Barry Rozner from 9 a.m. to noon Sundays on the Score's #8220;Hit and Run#8221; show at WSCR 670-AM. Follow him @BarryRozner on Twitter.