Jenks in limbo as Guillen plots bullpen's course
After another bout with back spasms during Thursday's loss to the Twins, the status of relief pitcher Bobby Jenks is unknown.
Asked before Friday's game if the White Sox are considering Jenks for the disabled list, manager Ozzie Guillen said he'll wait and see.
"I have to say, I want Bobby on the mound more than anybody," Guillen said. "I've got to think about the club. What they need the most, that's what we've got to do. The best scenario is hopefully today says he feels better and hopefully he can throw tomorrow off the mound."
In the meantime - or in the meanwhile, as Guillen usually says - the Sox will go with a situational closer. Guillen offered lefty Matt Thornton, along with right-handers J.J. Putz and Sergio Santos as candidates.
"Putz already was a closer. Thornton is a closer, I think," Guillen said. "Santos should be a closer one day in his career. I'm going to have to see who's coming up in the ninth, if it's a lefty or a righty.
"I'm not afraid to put this kid (lefty Chris) Sale in in the eighth. I saw what he had. I like it. He's a nice kid; he's got good stuff."
Thornton entered Friday's action with a streak of 22 consecutive appearances without allowing a run. Earlier this season, Putz set a Sox record by not allowing a run in 27 straight appearances.
Fond farewell: White Sox manager Ozzie Guillen had some kind words for rookie infielder Dayan Viciedo, who was sent back to Triple A Charlotte on Thursday.
Viciedo batted .268 with 3 home runs and 7 RBI for the Sox. The Cuba native did not record a single walk in 82 at-bats.
"I can't talk about walks because I was worse," Guillen said. "I think this kid's got great potential. I think the game was a little bit too quick for him.
"Those type of players, they're not playing much and when they play, it's not easy. When they play, the timing is not there, they're rushed, they're worried about getting sent down, worried this is going to be my last at-bat in the big leagues.
"He knows now what it means to be in the big leagues. He knows now how big-league games are. He knows now how big-league life is. There's no doubt he's going to be a good ballplayer."
Sox notes: Ozzie Guillen on Friday's Elvis Night promotion: "I'm a Michael Jackson fan." - With Mark Teahen back in the lineup, Carlos Quentin did not start. ... According to the Tigers, Miguel Cabrera leads the American League in road batting average at .347. - Sox catcher A.J. Pierzynski had both a stolen base (his second this season) and sacrifice bunt in Friday's game.