Ozuna still hoping to return this season
ARLINGTON, Texas -- Heading into the season, Pablo Ozuna finally had everything.
He won a World Series with the White Sox in 2005, and he was getting plenty of playing time under appreciative manager Ozzie Guillen.
Finally, the versatile Ozuna had some security after agreeing to a contract extension that could keep him on the South Side through the 2009 season.
A broken leg knocked Ozuna out of action, and the serious nature of the injury threatened to keep the infielder/outfielder on the sidelines for the rest of the season, if not longer.
Ozuna is determined to make it back this year, and his comeback took another big step on Tuesday when he stepped up his hitting.
Guillen wants to see Ozuna on the field again in 2007, even if it's just for an inning in the final game of the season.
"I hope,'' Guillen said. "I know Pablo has had a tough summer. I know this kid has worked hard all his career to make it to the big-league level and all of a sudden he makes it, signs a contract, makes it for a while and gets hurt. He's shooting to at least play one game before the season is over. I will be proud and happy to do that. I'm waiting for him when he tells me he's ready to play and be in the lineup.''
Ozuna has been around his teammates at U.S. Cellular Field, and now he's on the road for the first time since breaking his leg.
"I want to come back and play this season,'' Ozuna said. "Hopefully I can. This has been a very hard year for me, sitting and watching the team play. I know in my heart I could have helped them.''
Cintron update: Sox infielder Alex Cintron was moved from the bereavement list to the restricted list Tuesday. Cintron left the White Sox on Aug. 21 to be with his mother in Puerto Rico. His return date remains uncertain.
"I think his mom is fine; everything is fine,'' Ozzie Guillen said. "He's going to wait for a couple days to finish up with the deal. He doesn't want to come here and then have to go back to Puerto Rico.''
Waiting game: Scott Podsednik is still trying to bounce back from a strained right rib-cage muscle. Podsednik hasn't started the last seven games, but it doesn't appear he's headed for the disabled list.
"He's going to hit today and let me know how he feels,'' Ozzie Guillen said. "As soon as he feels ready to play, he'll get some at-bats. I don't know how many. I'll try to talk to him about that situation, but I'm trying to rotate a lot of people to make sure they get their at-bats.''
If Podsednik does return, he's likely to give Josh Fields an occasional breather. With an eye toward next season, the Sox are playing Fields in left field to set up the likely return of third baseman Joe Crede, who is recovering from back surgery.