Sox still don't want Peavy taking any at-bats
TUCSON, Ariz. - There is a reason Jake Peavy's staying back in Phoenix and pitching a minor-league game against the Cincinnati Reds on Saturday instead of making his scheduled Cactus League start against Colorado at Hi Corbett Field.
Peavy would have had to bat against the Rockies, and that is something the White Sox don't want to see, or worry about.
"I changed Peavy's schedule because I don't want Peavy to get any at-bats because he might take extra batting practice or try to beat out a groundball and that's not what we're looking for," manager Ozzie Guillen said.
When he was with the San Diego Padres last season, Peavy injured his right ankle while running the bases in a May 22 game against the Cubs and made only 3 more starts, all with the Sox, the rest of the season.
Local boy makes good? With Jake Peavy pitching in a minor-league game Saturday, minor-leaguer Matthew Zaleski gets the start for the White Sox against the Rockies at Hi Corbett.
Zaleski, who was born in Arlington Heights, attended Driscoll Catholic High School and now resides in North Aurora, was drafted by the Sox in 2004 (30th round) after pitching at Indiana State.
The 6-foot-1, 205-pound right-hander split last season between Class A Winston-Salem, AA Birmingham and AAA Charlotte, going 7-4 with a 2.28 ERA in 28 games (12 starts).
Freddy being Freddy? The wind was howling out of Tucson Electric Park on Friday, and the White Sox also played some ragged defense in a 10-1 loss to the Arizona Diamondbacks.
Still, starting pitcher Freddy Garcia didn't show much while allowing 7 runs on 11 hits in 5 innings.
Manager Ozzie Guillen knows Garcia better than anyone, so he's not going to fret too much.
"Very tough outing for Freddy," Guillen said. "His velocity's climbing a little bit, but Freddy's always pitched kind of weird in spring training.
"If we didn't know Freddy, believe me I'd be worried about it. When the light's go on, Freddy's a different pitcher."
Lefty is right: If there were any doubts about Randy Williams already winning a job in the Sox' bullpen, they officially were put to rest Friday.
The left-hander pitched 1 scoreless inning, allowing 1 hit and striking out one. In 8 Cactus League appearances, Williams hasn't allowed a run or walk while striking out six in 101/3 innings.
"I think the guy pitched with a lot of confidence last year," manager Ozzie Guillen said. "There are a lot of lefty (hitters) in our division, so he might have to go an inning-plus sometimes."