Sox reliever Crain trying to take positives from rough outing

If the White Sox are going to make it to the postseason, they are going to need Jesse Crain to come on in relief late in games and shut down the opposition.

Crain has been solid in his setup role for years, but he’s understandably rusty at the moment.

The right-hander just came off the disabled list after missing nearly a month with a right posterior shoulder strain.

Earlier in the season, Crain was on the DL with a strained left oblique.

After being activated Saturday, Crain was back on the mound Monday night and he allowed 1 run on 2 hits in two-thirds of an inning.

Crain faced his old team, the Twins, again Wednesday afternoon and issued 3 walks in two-thirds of an inning before being pulled by manager Robin Ventura.

“I’ve been through a lot this year,” said Crain, who also dealt with a strained right oblique in spring training. “I was rushing a little bit today. But I take positives out of it. My arm felt a little stronger today than it did the other day when I was out there.

“So I guess that’s something to take out of it. I just have to find that consistent zone I had before and go from there.”

Viciedo OK:Sox left fielder Dayan Viciedo appeared to injure himself when he tried catching Denard Span#146;s sinking liner that went for a double in the fifth inning.Viciedo rolled his wrist, but he was momentarily stunned after his head slammed into the turf.#147;I#146;m OK,#148; Viciedo said through a translator after the game. #147;When I hit the ground, the bill of my cap actually ended up hitting the ground first and then I hit my head. Thank goodness for that.#148;In the fourth inning, Viciedo made his first error since Aug. 9 of last season, a span of 109 games.#147;You work hard at it, but I figured at some point it might happen,#148; Viciedo said. #147;Unfortunately for me, today was that day. Keep going out there and practicing and hope it doesn#146;t happen again.#148;A.J. update:As expected, catcher A.J. Pierzynski sat out again Wednesday with a mild right oblique strain.With Thursday#146;s break in the schedule, manager Robin Ventura is still planning on starting Pierzynski Friday when the White Sox open a three-game series at Texas.#147;You never know how bad it#146;s going to be,#148; Ventura said. #147;He#146;s a tough guy; he could probably play through it. But again, if he injures it worse, then he#146;ll probably end up on the DL. It#146;s better to be protective of it.#148;Danks update:After playing long toss and throwing 20 fastballs off the mound Tuesday, injured starting pitcher John Danks said his physical condition on Wednesday would be telling.Danks was sore, but it was nothing unexpected.#147;I kind of had an idea that I#146;d be sore, certainly that,#148; Danks said. #147;But I don#146;t think it#146;s quite as bad as it#146;s been the last few times I#146;ve come off throwing. Hopefully this is sign of improvement and we can go from there.#148;