Lucy happily puts baseball before politics

At the age of 29, Donny Lucy seriously considered finally giving up baseball and using his Political Science degree from Stanford.

With a wife and young son, Lucy was going nowhere fast in the White Sox’ minor-league system, and the final blow appeared to come last November when he was removed from the 40-man roster.

“I had some interest from some other teams,” Lucy said. “I thought about maybe doing something else in the game. And yeah, I thought about using my degree, although I don’t think this is the best time to be working in politics.”

Lucy wound up sticking with the Sox, and it finally paid off.

With A.J. Pierzynski on the disabled list with a fractured left wrist, Lucy’s contract was purchased from Class AAA Charlotte on Tuesday.

On Wednesday night, Lucy made his first start for the White Sox and was 0-for-3.

“Just to be back up here, it’s nice,” Lucy said. “This is my eighth year with the organization and I know a lot of the guys here. I know a lot of the pitchers. I caught Mark (Buehrle) last year in Texas.”

This is Lucy’s third tour of duty with the Sox.

Last season, he played in 7 games and batted .333 (5-for-15). In 2007, Lucy played in 8 games for the White Sox and batted .200 (3-for-15).

Starting stuff:

The White Sox used six starters the last two turns through the rotation, but it looks like they are back to five.

Zach Stewart was the temporary No. 6 starter. The right-hander pitched in relief Wednesday night against the Indians.

“He will be in the bullpen for a little while,” manager Ozzie Guillen said of Stewart. “It depends on how we go. We have a day off Monday and he will be in the bullpen that day and we’ll figure out what we’re going to do.”

Phil Humber starts for the Sox Thursday night against Cleveland ace Justin Masterson (9-7, 2.61 ERA).

Humber has been shaky as of late, going 0-4 with a 7.52 ERA in his last 5 starts. Should Humber have another rough outing, a switch with Stewart is possible.

Still sore:

Paul Konerko made his 13th straight start at designated hitter Wednesday, and he went 0-for-3 with a walk to snap a 12-game hitting streak.

Konerko has done well at DH, but he’d rather be playing first base.

“I’m not ruling out anything,” Konerko said when asked if he’ll play first Thursday. “I don’t know. Other than myself, I don’t think it’s really that big of a deal. It’s either going to be Adam (Dunn) or me over there.

“I prefer to be over there because I prefer playing the game, and just DHing ... I’ve taken 3 billion swings in the last week because you have to stay loose and it wears on you more.”