Rios reports, raring to go

Alex Rios joined the White Sox before Tuesday night's game at Seattle, one day after being claimed off waivers from the Toronto Blue Jays.

Rios, who will wear uniform No. 51, traveled most of the day and wasn't in the starting lineup.

"I got up at 5 in the morning to fly from New York, so it's a little tiring," Rios told reporters. "But it feels great. I'm with the White Sox now and it feels great."

In 108 games with the Jays this season, Rios batted .264 with 14 home runs and 62 RBI while primarily playing right field.

Rios is likely to spend mostly of his time in center with the Sox, but he can also play the corner spots.

"I haven't talked to Ozzie (Guillen) yet, deeply, about what I'm going to do," Rios said. "Whatever it is, I'm going to do it."

That goes for his spot in the White Sox' batting order, too.

"It's like I always say, hitting is hitting no matter where you are in the lineup," Rios said. "It doesn't matter very much."

Rios is probably going to hit sixth or seventh when Scott Podsednik is playing. But when Podsednik is out, Rios could bat first.

"He did it in the past," Guillen told reporters. "I wish I could keep him in one spot and leave him there."

Guillen said rookie Gordon Beckham is not going to move from the No. 2 spot.

Coming from a Blue Jays team that is once again out of the running in the rugged AL East, Rios is looking forward to helping the Sox make a playoff push.

"I'm a big fan of the city of Chicago and it's going to be great because we have a chance to go to the playoffs," Rios said. "I've never been to the playoffs, so it'll be a good experience."

Roster move: To clear a spot for Alex Rios, the White Sox optioned pitcher Carlos Torres back to Class AAA Charlotte.

Torres made 2 starts with the Sox this season, most recently Saturday against the Indians. He lasted just 31/3 innings against Cleveland and allowed 4 runs on 3 hits and 6 walks.