advertisement

White Sox’ goal remains the same

While they gained a little traction while going 4-3 on last week’s trip to Minnesota and Anaheim, Calif., the White Sox still spun their wheels through the first seven weeks of the season and are jockeying with the Twins for last place in the AL Central.

Sox general manager Rick Hahn, among others, said it’s still way too early to be thinking about trading players like Jake Peavy, Alex Rios, Jesse Crain and even Paul Konerko.

“We’re 42 games into the season at this point, and we are a long way off from making any definitive change in direction towards selling guys off, as you put it,” Hahn said when asked about rebuilding. “Is it possible? Sure. But the marching orders now for our scouts hasn’t changed from what they were at the end of spring training, which is to look for players we feel can help make the 2013 team stronger and in a better position to win a championship.”

Injured second baseman Gordon Beckham (fractured left hamate) and starting pitcher John Danks (shoulder surgery) are due back soon, possibly by the weekend.

Hahn said the White Sox deserve to be evaluated following an extended performance at full strength.

“Everyone deals with injuries,” Hahn said. “It is a test of depth for everyone over the course of a long season. At the same time, we’re not making any judgments on this team until we have everyone back healthy playing and give this team a chance to play at the level they’re capable of playing.”

Danks, Beckham updates:John Danks and Gordon Beckham are both close to coming off the disabled list.Danks, who hasn#146;t pitched for the Sox in one year due to a shoulder injury that required surgery, has made 4 rehab starts, the last 3 with Class AAA Charlotte.The 28-year-old lefty pitched Saturday and allowed 3 runs (2 earned) on 2 hits in 4 innings. He also walked five, which might mean he needs another minor-league outing.GM Rick Hahn said Danks#146; rehab numbers aren#146;t a huge factor.#147;Obviously they#146;re there to hopefully perform well, but their real goal is to get through the work healthy and to work on the elements of their mechanics and get themselves back to 100 percent and game ready,#148; Hahn said. #147;It#146;s really not a performance evaluation we#146;re making. It#146;s more about health and mechanics.#148;Danks and the Sox will talk at U.S. Cellular Field later this week and decide the next move.As for Beckham, he was 1-for-4 for Charlotte on Monday while playing shortstop instead of his customary second base. In three rehab games, Beckham is 6-for-13.Since he#146;s been out since April 9, manager Robin Ventura said Beckham needs a few more games in the minors but hopes he#146;s ready Friday when the White Sox open a three-game series against the Marlins.No excuses:Paul Konerko was 0-for-3 with a walk Monday, dropping his batting average to .220.At age 37, Konerko#146;s played more games at designated hitter (20) than first base (19) this season.#147;The routine is different, but I knew it was coming,#148; Konerko said. #147;I knew it was coming in March. I was prepared for that. #147;If you would have picked me up from 10 years ago or eight years ago and dropped me into this year, it would be really kind of weird. But I knew it was kind of a gradual thing last year, and into this year I knew I was going to DH more. No worried there, I just try to make sure I#146;m sharp.#148;

Article Comments
Guidelines: Keep it civil and on topic; no profanity, vulgarity, slurs or personal attacks. People who harass others or joke about tragedies will be blocked. If a comment violates these standards or our terms of service, click the "flag" link in the lower-right corner of the comment box. To find our more, read our FAQ.