Colon, Contreras will get starts - but who's first?
The top of the White Sox' starting rotation is set with veteran innings-eater Mark Buehrle and budding stars Gavin Floyd and John Danks.
The trio is set to go in the season-opening series that starts Tuesday against the Kansas City Royals at U.S. Cellular Field.
After that, it's going to be Bartolo Colon and Jose Contreras when the Minnesota Twins return to the South Side this weekend. Or, Contreras and Colon.
As early as today, Sox manager Ozzie Guillen could decide which veteran right-hander pitches when.
Based on their final spring outings, the decision is difficult.
Contreras started against the Arizona Diamondbacks on Saturday and pitched 4 scoreless innings, allowing just 1 hit.
Colon relieved Contreras and pitched 5 scoreless innings, allowing 3 hits while striking out six.
"I'm excited about the way they threw," Guillen said. "I never thought they would throw that well in a big game for them, for us, to make our minds clear about we have. I talked to Colon (Sunday) morning to see how he felt after throwing that many innings. He said he was fine. That's the good news."
Bundle up: Monday's opener was postponed due to weather, but the Sox and Royals should be able to play today at the Cell.
The temperature is expected to be in the mid-40s, a far cry from the heat in spring training.
"We got off the plane from Arizona and just kind of looked at each other," right fielder Jermaine Dye said. "We'll just have to take our vitamins and try to stay warm. Playing in Chicago, it's something we're used to. The weather is no big deal."
Starter Mark Buehrle said he'll try to stay warm today by going to the clubhouse when the White Sox are batting. Or, he could stay close to the space heater in the dugout, assuming it's been repaired.
After getting rocked by the Twins last May, Buehrle was spotted bashing the heater with a bat belonging to former teammate Juan Uribe.
"I don't know if it (is fixed)," Buehrle said with a laugh. "Somebody said they hoped I get rocked one time this year because they want to see the heater get beat up again."
Roster move: The Sox on Monday outrighted relief pitcher Ehren Wassermann to Class AAA Charlotte.
Wasserman was optioned to Charlotte on March 25 after allowing 4 earned runs over 7 innings in the Cactus League. Last season, the 28-year-old right-hander was 1-2 with a 7.78 ERA in 24 games with the White Sox.
The Sox' 40-man roster now stands at 38.