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Danks getting closer to return to White Sox' rotation

John Danks is not ready to rejoin the White Sox' rotation yet, but he moved another step closer Sunday.

In his third rehab start, and second with Class AAA Charlotte, Danks pitched 6 innings against Pawtucket and allowed 3 runs (2 earned) on 7 hits and 3 walks. The left-hander also had 5 strikeouts.

“As a whole, my command was great and I was ahead of the count to a majority of hitters,” Danks told a pool reporter after throwing 101 pitches. “I had good stuff and I made the ball do what I wanted it to do. My curveball was a lot more effective probably since rookie year.”

Danks is very close to being all the way back from Aug. 9 shoulder surgery, but he's tentatively scheduled to pitch Saturday against AAA Buffalo.

If all goes well, Danks could make his first start for the Sox since May 19 of last season during a three-game series against the Miami Marlins (May 24-26).

“I don't think I need too much more,” Danks said. “I'm hoping I have another good one in the next one. I'm certain me and (general manager) Rick (Hahn) will be in touch and talk about that. Not very far off.”

Dunn takes a seat:Mired in an 0-for-11 slump that has dropped his batting average to a major-league low .137, Adam Dunn sat out Sunday's game against the Los Angeles Angels.Dunn was a career 1-for-4 against starter C.J. Wilson, but he clearly needed a night off. Since May 1, he's batting .103 (3-for-29) with 13 strikeouts, no home runs and no RBI.#8220;A day to have a breather is good,#8221; manager Robin Ventura said. #8220;A lot of the guys, you get to a point where everybody wants to do a lot more than they need to do instead of making it simple. It's just one of those you give him a day to not have to think about that.#8221;Talk is cheap:Robin Ventura called a team meeting before Saturday's game against the Angels. He hopes it's the last one of the season.#8220;I've been in a lot of them,#8221; said Ventura, who played 16 major-league seasons and is in his second year as White Sox manager. #8220;I don't like them.#8220;I just think teams that scuffle have meetings a lot, so I don't want to have too many meetings. Teams that win don't seem to have that many meetings because they don't need to.#8221;Surprise visit:Before Saturday's White Sox-Angels game, Bolingbrook's Ginny Page received an early Mother's Day present.All 32 in 17/Warrior Wishes set up a surprise homecoming for Ginny's daughter, Amanda Mason, who has served in the United States Navy since 2010.Ginny Page originally are informed she had won a contest to throw out the ceremonial first pitch, and after she went to the mound, Amanda made a surprise entrance with the baseball. She had not seen her mother in 16 months.

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