Struggling Buehrle: I feel fine

Since becoming the 18th pitcher in major-league history to throw a perfect game, against the Tampa Bay Rays on July 23, White Sox starter Mark Buehrle has hit an extended rough patch.

Buehrle is 0-3 with a 5.85 ERA in 5 starts since the gem, which has led many to assume he's either still distracted by all of the attention from the no-hitter or not feeling 100 percent healthy.

The 30-year-old lefty did admit to being a little overwhelmed by all of the attention in his first 2 starts after the perfect game, but a month has passed and that's no longer a factor.

On the physical end, Buehrle said there are no issues.

"I feel fine," said Buehrle, who starts against the Orioles this afternoon. "Skipping some spring training starts and earlier in the season, going on six and seven days' rest a couple times, I think that's helped make me stronger in the second half."

Sitting out: Paul Konerko and Alex Rios were held out of the starting lineup Saturday.

Mark Kotsay filled in for Konerko at first base, and Scott Podsednik played center field in place of Rios.

Konerko is batting .133 (6-for-45) over his last 13 games.

"Being his manager for a few years, I'm not his hitting coach, but I think he tries to do too much," White Sox manager Ozzie Guillen said of Konerko. "He tries to, especially when you see the offense struggle, he doesn't stay within himself and he's thinking too much. He's the type of player, I'm not going to say he's never satisfied, but he tries to do what he isn't supposed to do. When you think that much at the plate, you forget the basics. See the ball, hit it, and hopefully for the best."

Rios had started eight straight games for the Sox since being claimed off waivers from the Toronto Blue Jays. He's batting .242 (8-for-33) with 1 HR and 2 RBI.

Peavy watch: Jake Peavy is still scheduled to start for Class AAA Charlotte on Monday, and it looks like he'll need to make a fourth rehab start before joining the Sox.

It's been a fluid situation, and Ozzie Guillen on Saturday said there is always next season if Peavy can't recover from an ankle injury that's left him on the disabled list since June 9.

"Believe me, I know Peavy wants to pitch at the big-league level," Guillen said. "That's our hope. But in the meanwhile, if we hurry and we make a mistake, it can be a big one. We have to make sure we do everything we can to prevent any injuries, to prevent any setbacks. If it takes him until next year, we'll wait for him."