Hit batters becoming sore spot for Sox' Guillen

Manager Ozzie Guillen isn't questioning the intent, but he wasn't happy after three more of his players were hit by pitches in Saturday's win over Cleveland.

"I know it's not on purpose," Guillen said before Sunday's 8-4 loss to the Indians at U.S. Cellular Field. "If I see somebody hitting my players and I know it's on purpose, two guys are going down. I don't care if I get suspended, I don't care.

"With Cleveland, they hit (three) guys. Not on purpose, but somebody can get hurt out there."

Captain Paul Konerko was hit four times on the White Sox' 10-game homestand.

"I know for a fact they're not throwing at anybody, but enough is enough," Guillen said. "I've got Konerko who's got bruises all over the place. Around the league, be careful because we're going to hit people. I don't care if they suspend me because I have to protect my players."

Konerko doesn't think he's being targeted by opposing pitchers.

"At no time did I think I was getting hit on purpose," Konerko said. "You can't hold the fourth guy accountable because of the first guy. Sometimes you just wear it, literally.

"It's just being in the wrong place at the wrong time. We had some other guys get hit (Saturday) night, too. It goes through streaks like that, I guess."

The were no hit batters on either side Sunday.

Ready for Freddy? Jake Peavy is ready to start a minor-league rehab assignment Thursday with Class AAA Charlotte, and he hopes to join the White Sox' starting rotation by the end of the month.

That fills one big hole for the Sox, and Freddy Garcia is expected to fill the other.

Jose Contreras struggled again in Sunday's start against the Indians, and Carlos Torres didn't show much Saturday, allowing 4 runs on 3 hits and 6 walks in 31/3 innings.

Garcia, meanwhile, has been sharp in 3 minor-league starts, combining to allow 2 runs in 14 innings with Class A Kannapolis and Advanced Rookie Bristol.

"Freddy's on the way up, I'll be honest with you," manager Ozzie Guillen said. "I'm not going to hide anything from you guys. Freddy's on the way up; he's throwing real well. I'm not saying Freddy's going to be the next guy; he's not. But the way he's pitching right now, we like that."

Guillen said the 33-year-old Garcia needs a "couple more starts" before getting the call.

Garcia pitched for the White Sox from 2004-06 and was 40-21. The right-hander was 3-0 in the 2005 postseason and won the deciding Game 4 of the World Series against the Houston Astros.

After being traded to the Philadelphia Phillies for Gavin Floyd before the 2007 season, Garcia had shoulder surgery.

"He's feeling very good," Guillen said. "One thing about Freddy, he's not going to lie to this organization. He knows how much we appreciate him, how much we like him."

Guillen said Garcia's fastball is topping out at 91 mph. The Sox likely are going to need a fifth starter Aug. 18, and Garcia might be ready.