Looks like Buehrle to start season opener
TUCSON, Ariz. -- Before giving way to Jose Contreras last season, Mark Buehrle made five straight Opening Day starts.
While also giving Javier Vazquez strong consideration, manager Ozzie Guillen on Friday said Buehrle is a near lock to take the mound when the White Sox open with a March 31 game against the Cleveland Indians.
"I'm not saying it's official, but that's really what it looks like right now,'' Guillen said. "I haven't even told those guys yet.''
Buehrle threw a no-hitter last season while going 10-9 with a 3.63 ERA. Vazquez was 15-8 with a 3.74 ERA.
"Javy should be our No. 1 guy, but I don't think there will be any problems with those two guys,'' Guillen said. "Those are two guys that don't care.''
If the Sox aren't rained (or snowed) out on their season-opening road trip to Cleveland and Detroit, Vazquez would pitch the home opener (April 7 vs. the Minnesota Twins).
"In some ways, I guess it's an honor,'' Vazquez said of starting Opening Day. "It means that you did things right. I think (Buehrle), he's done everything right throughout his career, so he deserves it. Whoever it is, it really doesn't matter. After that first game, rainouts, off days, it's no big deal.''
Buehrle has always enjoyed starting the first game of the season.
"Of course, it would be an honor,'' Buehrle said. "Any time you start Opening Day it's an honor, especially since Javier is equally as deserving after the way he threw last year.''
Trainer's room: Joe Crede didn't take batting practice on Friday, one day after he was hit on the left hand by Mike MacDougal.
"Crede is fine,'' Ozzie Guillen said. "The hand is sore, but I think we're expecting him to be back (today). His back is fine and there haven't been any problems with it so far.''
Crede had back surgery in June, missing the rest of the 2007 season.
"I just worry about making sure his back is 100 percent every day, and if something is uncomfortable to let me know and we'll take care of it,'' Guillen said.
Remember me? Brian Anderson is still likely to either be traded or sent back to Class AAA Charlotte by the end of training camp.
But in the early going, the 25-year-old outfielder is off to a good start.
"He's swinging the bat well,'' Ozzie Guillen said. "I think that's the best I've ever seen Brian swing the bat since I got this job. I think he's healthy, he's in the mix.''
Anderson made the White Sox' 25-man roster last spring, but he was sent to Charlotte on April 29 after batting .118 (2-for-17). Anderson spent the entire 2006 season with the Sox and batted .225.
"This kid, he's got work to do,'' Guillen said. "A couple people passed by him. In the state he is right now, I'm going to let him compete for the job. We never gave him the job. We gave him the opportunity and he didn't take advantage of that in the past. Hopefully, he grew up a little bit because everybody knows he has a lot of potential.''