Jenks better, set for short rehab in minors

ARLINGTON, Texas - Throwing on the side before Saturday's game against the Rangers, it didn't take injured White Sox closer Bobby Jenks long before he knew his sore left shoulder was feeling better.

"He threw about five pitches and gave me the thumb's up,'' said Sox pitching coach Don Cooper. "Then he finished his workout and everything went fine. He threw all his pitches and now it's off for the rehab assignment.''

Jenks, on the 15-day disabled list with left scapula bursitis, is scheduled to pitch 1 inning for Class A Winston-Salem on Monday and 1 inning for AA Birmingham on Wednesday.

If he's feeling good, Jenks will come off the DL on Friday, when the White Sox open the second half of the season at home against the Kansas City Royals.

"It felt good,'' Jenks said. "It was a little tight, but there was no pain, nothing sharp, so that was a good thing.''

Jenks last pitched on June 29, against the Cubs. The big right-hander would enjoy shutting it down over the all-star break, but he'll be back on the mound in the minor leagues.

"I've had enough time off already with this break, but it's still nice having those four days off to completely get away from baseball,'' Jenks said. "That part I will miss. But my right side is definitely fresh. My right side feels great.''

Pierzynski injured: Catcher A.J. Pierzynski left Saturday night's game with a lower left leg contusion after being hit by a pitch from Rangers starter Kevin Millwood.

Loaiza update: Esteban Loaiza also threw on the side Saturday, but the veteran right-hander is not back in the White Sox'plans.

"He's going to have to go out and get a rehab assignment, that's for sure,'' pitching coach Don Cooper said. "He's going to have to get more consistent. He's not where he needs to be right now.''

After being released by the Los Angeles Dodgers, Loaiza signed with the Sox on June 5. He made 3 appearances and allowed 2 runs (1 earned) on 3 hits over 3 innings while throwing fastballs around 85 mph, Loaiza was placed on the disabled list with a sore shoulder.