Ozuna trying to make most of his limited opportunities
Whenever asked to rehash the nightmarish 2007 season, White Sox manager Ozzie Guillen often points to the crippling loss of utility man Pablo Ozuna.
There were too many times last year when the Sox needed the spark Ozuna usually provides. But after fracturing his right leg and tearing a ligament in his ankle during a May 25 game against Tampa Bay, Ozuna was lost for the season.
The 33-year-old infielder/left fielder is back, but Ozuna has been buried deep on the bench for most of the season.
Second base is one of the many positions he can play, but Ozuna sat and watched Alexei Ramirez start his sixth straight game in place of the injured Juan Uribe (strained hamstring) Thursday night.
"Every player wants to play,'' Ozuna said. "But I've been in this situation my whole career. I'll just wait for my opportunity and be ready to try to help the team win.''
That's what Ozuna did against the Indians on Tuesday. After Joe Crede was ejected for arguing a called third strike, Ozuna replaced him at third base and went 2-for-2.
That raised his batting average from .200 to .243, but Ozuna said he's still trying to get back into full swing.
"It's hard when you haven't played for almost a whole year,'' Ozuna said. "I played a few games in winter ball, but not nearly as much as I usually do. I'm working on my swing every day, trying to get better, so I'll be ready to help. I want to be playing more, but the team is winning and that's the most important thing to me.''
Still the same: When they were teammates on the White Sox from 1985-93, Ozzie Guillen said Carlton Fisk was like a father figure.
Fisk was asked about Guillen's outgoing nature in his role as Sox manager, and he answered like a father.
"All you've got to do is find a muzzle for him sometimes,'' said Fisk, who was feted at U.S. Cellular Field on Thursday night. "That's Ozzie, though. We used to tell Ozzie when he was playing: 'Ozzie, shut up.' But he's bold, he's brassy, he played, he has fun, and I think that's what he has tried to instill in the players is that you can be bold and brassy, but you go out and play.
"Everybody makes mistakes, just don't make stupid mistakes and have fun doing it. He has tried bringing that across to the players, which I think he has. It's just everybody else that doesn't understand that.''
Still hurting: Juan Uribe (strained hamstring) was hoping to return to the lineup against the Angels tonight, but it looks like the White Sox' second baseman is going to need more time.
"I don't think so,'' Uribe said when asked about playing today. "It still feels a little sore.''
Scouting report
White Sox vs. Los Angeles Angels at U.S. Cellular Field
TV: Comcast SportsNet today; Channel 32 Saturday; ESPN Sunday
Radio: WSCR 670-AM
Pitching matchups: The Sox' Gavin Floyd (4-2) vs. Joe Saunders (7-1) today at 7:11 p.m.; John Danks (3-3) vs. Jered Weaver (3-5) Saturday at 2:55 p.m.; Jose Contreras (5-3) vs. John Lackey (1-0) Sunday at 7:05 p.m.
At a glance: The White Sox split a four-game series against the Angels in Anaheim last week. Los Angeles is playing without shortstop Erick Aybar, who is on the disabled list with a dislocated finger. The Sox were 3-3 against the Angels at home last season.
Next: Cleveland Indians at Progressive Field, Monday-Wednesday
-- Scot Gregor