Marquez hurt but still in mix
GLENDALE, Ariz. - One of the White Sox' insurance policies, Jeff Marquez, came out of Friday's exhibition game against the Giants with a strained right hamstring, but the young pitcher is expected to stay on schedule.
Marquez exited the game in the seventh inning after tweaking the hamstring while covering first base, but he is still expected to take his next turn on Wednesday.
Marquez is a candidate to step in for Bartolo Colon or Jose Contreras if they are not physically ready to start the season.
Clayton Richard is also in that mix, and Sox manager Ozzie Guillen said he'd get the call ahead of Marquez.
"(Richard's) the one throwing the ball better," Guillen said. "He's throwing very well. We're excited about what he's doing right now. He's pitched at the big-league level and we've got a lot of faith in him. If something happens, I don't mind giving him the ball."
Richard is 0-1 with a 3.63 ERA in 5 Cactus League appearances, all starts. Marquez, acquired from the Yankees in the Nick Swisher trade, is 1-0 with a 5.23 ERA in 4 exhibition outings (2 starts).
Calling Corky? The White Sox have three catchers vying for the reserve job behind A.J. Pierzynski - Corky Miller, Chris Stewart and Donny Lucy.
More roster cuts are coming early next week, but Ozzie Guillen said Miller holds the edge.
Miller is batting .500 (9-for-18) in the Cactus League and he's spent time with the Reds, Twins, Red Sox and Braves.
"He's hitting the ball well and handling the pitchers well, but that doesn't mean he's on the team," Guillen said. "We have Lucy doing a good job, Stewart. We have to see what kind of cuts we make and I'll have a better idea. I'll ask a couple pitchers."
Taking the lead? Brian Anderson got the nod to bat leadoff against the Giants Friday, and the center fielder was 1-for-2 with a walk before giving way to Dewayne Wise late in the game.
Ozzie Guillen on Thursday said he's going to look at Anderson and Josh Fields out of the leadoff spot, but nothing has been set in stone.
"Anderson's good," Guillen said. "When he goes out there and does what he's supposed to do, he's doing his job. He's swinging well the last two weeks and hopefully he keeps it up."