Carrasco seems like best option for rotation

Since being called up from Class AAA Charlotte last month, D.J. Carrasco has stepped in and helped out a White Sox' bullpen minus injured setup man Scott Linebrink and barely getting by with struggling left-handers Boone Logan and Matt Thorton.

Now, it looks like Carrasco is going to get a shot at giving the Sox' starting rotation a lift.

With Jose Contreras out for the season with a ruptured Achilles' tendon, the White Sox appear to be leaning heavily toward turning to Carrasco to fill the void.

After going 1-0 with a 2.57 ERA in 12 relief appearances, the 31-year-old Carrasco is the leading candidate to start Thursday against the Royals.

"I love starting," Carrasco said. "It's more like a chess match. You're out there longer and you can throw more pitches and get a better feel for the game. It feels like you're in the game more, whereas when you're in the bullpen, you're usually watching the game."

Carrasco started 22 games for Kansas City in 2005, and after a year in Japan, the right-hander made 22 starts for Class AAA Tucson last season.

White Sox manager Ozzie Guillen was hoping to leave Carrasco in the bullpen, but the filling the void left by Contreras is a priority.

In addition to Carrasco, the Sox are also considering moving Lance Broadway or Adam Russell from the bullpen to the rotation.

Leave it to Guillen to put the uncertainty into perspective.

"Whoever's on the mound, who cares?" Guillen said. "Were not going to bring Vida Blue, Tom Seaver to the mound. Whoever is there is there, and we'll figure out the rest."

Contreras recovering: Manager Ozzie Guillen talked to Jose Contrereas on the phone Tuesday afternoon, a day after the starting pitcher had surgery to repair his torn left Achilles' tendon.

"He's disappointed, he's really disappointed about the season he went through," Guillen said. "He told me he thought when he started the season he was going to be fine. Unfortunately, injuries got him. Like I said, you have to be patient, pray, and hopefully he can come back."

Contreras is signed through next season, but the 36-year-old pitcher is facing a long recovery and his career is in jeopardy.

"I hope he will," Guillen said when asked if Contreras will pitch again. "I have doubts. If he wants to pitch, he's going to go through a lot of stuff. I think Jose's willing to do it."