Linebrink claims shoulder OK

NEW YORK - The results have been pretty bad, but the important thing for Scott Linebrink is his shoulder is feeling good.

That was the message the White Sox' veteran relief pitcher personally delivered to manager Ozzie Guillen on Thursday, a day after Linebrink pitched 1 inning against the Yankees and allowed 3 runs on a pair of home runs.

"It is a process, and even though (Wednesday) night the results weren't anywhere where I wanted them to be, it was encouraging just for the fact I'm getting back to where my stuff was," Linebrink said. "Coop (pitching coach Don Cooper) and I talked about it, now it's a matter of executing pitches.

"As much as I would have liked all of that to come back all at once, it is a two-part process. The stuff seems to be coming back. I was throwing 93 (mph), which was close to where I'm usually at.

"You try to focus on getting your shoulder healthy, and you wonder if that felt right or it didn't. And I think you spend so much time and energy on that, now it's time to start focusing on where you want to put the pitch and executing."

When he was healthy over the first three months of the season, Linebrink was one of the most dominating relievers in the league.

But while pitching back-to-back games against Oakland in early July, the 32-year-old Linebrink experienced discomfort. He made only 2 more appearances before going on the disabled list late in the month.

Since being activated on Sept. 1, Linebrink made 4 appearances and allowed 5 runs in 4 innings.

"I'm getting through it," he said. "I'm not going to say I'm feeling 100 percent, but who does feel 100 percent right now? I've got enough to go out there and get outs. You can just tell from watching the stuff out there that it's good enough to get people out, but it's got to be in the right location. (Wedneday) night was a perfect example that if you're in the middle of the plate to good hitters like this, you're going to get hurt."

Guillen has tried easing Linebrink back in, but with just over a week to go in the season, that is going to change.

Linebrink said he's ready to resume taking the mound with the game on the line.

"You're pitching in the back end of a ballgame, you're expected to go out there and perform," he said. "If you don't do your job, it's pass/fail. I'm definitely up for the challenge.

"This is a fun time, too. I'm not cringing in the corner, thinking about the pressure. I relish in that, and I think a lot of guys pitching in the back end of the game, when you squeeze them like that, they really focus in on the job and thrive on that."