White Sox’ De Aza still not good to go

Alejandro De Aza missed his third straight game Monday with a sore lower back, and the White Sox’ center fielder is in danger of landing on the disabled list.

“We’re still trying to figure out how much he can go,” manager Robin Ventura said. “We’ll see how long it’s going to take.”

De Aza had his lower back wrapped in ice before Monday night’s game against the New York Yankees. He injured the back sliding into second base during Friday’s game at Kansas City.

If De Aza has to go on the DL, Jordan Danks is likely to come back up from Class AAA Charlotte. Danks came out of Monday night’s game against Durham in the third inning, a sign he may be on his way back.

De Aza has been a key player for the White Sox this season, but they’ll make due if he hits the DL.

“Everyone in the lineup and on this pitching staff matters,” general manager Kenny Williams said. “We are a team that is not reliant on one particular person, but when an important piece is missing you’re going to notice. But Dewayne Wise has stepped in in De Aza’s absence here and played very well.”

Danks update:Two weeks after having season-ending surgery on his throwing (left) shoulder, White Sox starting pitcher John Danks is doing about as well as can be expected.#147;It#146;s still new to me,#148; Danks said. #147;Everything I know is just what was told to me. Fortunately at this point it hasn#146;t been as bad as I expected, but I haven#146;t gotten into the full rehab process. I hear that#146;s a little tougher.#148;Danks has no idea when he will be able to resume throwing, but he is planning on rehabbing the shoulder close to home in Dallas or Austin, Texas, over the winter.The goal is to be ready for spring training, but Danks isn#146;t making any predictions at this early stage.#147;I#146;m not putting a whole lot of weight into the dates,#148; Danks said. #147;It#146;s certainly a good goal, and it#146;s my goal to be ready by spring, but things can happen. The goal is spring training, but I don#146;t want to do anything to set us back any further by pushing it.#148;When he signed a five-year, $65 million contract extension in December, Danks was planning on leading the White Sox#146; rotation. Instead, he struggled to make 9 starts, going 3-4 with a 5.70 ERA.#147;It#146;s been (frustrating) for a while now,#148; he said. #147;I#146;m getting a little used to it, I guess. It#146;s getting a little easier to watch and whatnot. But these guys have been playing good. It has been fun to watch.#148;Looking ahead:The White Sox usually call up two or three players when rosters expand in September. This season, that number could be much higher.#147;It#146;s a lot more than I#146;m budgeted for, but I can#146;t tell you right now,#148; GM Kenny Williams said. #147;I haven#146;t talked to (chairman) Jerry (Reinsdorf) and given him the bad news.#148;