Peavy could join Sox as early as Saturday

The White Sox don't want to rush new starting pitcher Jake Peavy back to the big leagues, and manager Ozzie Guillen on Saturday even admitted he'd be fine if the 2007 NL Cy Young Award winner didn't come back until next season.

But the White Sox are struggling to stay in playoff contention and, as Jose Contreras painfully demonstrated in Monday night's outing at Boston, they could use a reliable starter.

Peavy just might be the answer, and maybe there is a chance the 28-year-old righty can debut with the White Sox as soon as Saturday, at New York against the Yankees.

Making his third rehab start with Class AAA Charlotte on Monday, Peavy pitched 5 scoreless innings against Gwinnett, allowing 4 singles while throwing 80 pitches (52 strikes).

But there was a scare in the fifth inning when Peavy was hit by a line drive on the right elbow. He was able to stay in the game and finish the inning.

"It didn't hit (me) that hard," Peavy told The Associated Press. "I don't think it got me too square. It's sore. I'm sure it's going to be sore (Tuesday). Hopefully it won't be a problem."

Peavy, who has been on the disabled list since June 9 with a strained tendon in his right ankle, is scheduled to meet up with the White Sox in Boston on Tuesday and talk about his immediate future with general manager Kenny Williams, trainer Herm Schneider and pitching coach Don Cooper.

"We haven't set any definite plans," Peavy said Monday. "That is the bottom line. We haven't set a hard date.

"People have speculated on dates. But we're just taking it start by start. I don't know how sore my elbow will be. Obviously, that could be a factor. We'll see."