Sitting hitters too easy a decision for Guillen this year

Whom to sit for the White Sox?

When looking over his group of hitters, manager Ozzie Guillen has plenty of choices.

Guillen held Juan Pierre out of Tuesday night’s game against the Rangers, but the slumping leadoff man was back in the lineup Wednesday against the Indians.

So were Adam Dunn, who came in with a .197 batting average, and Gordon Beckham (.214).

Alex Rios was not.

It’s taken a 15-for-51 “surge” from Rios to get his batting average to .201 — up from .155 — but the Sox’ center fielder has looked nothing like the hitter who put up such solid all-around numbers (.284, 21 HR, 88 RBI) a season ago.

In addition to batting .201 this year, Rios has 3 homers, 10 RBI and a sickly .266 on-base percentage.

Considering he’s a lifetime 3-for-21 against Justin Masterson, who started for Cleveland Wednesday, was it a good day off for Rios?

“I don’t mind, but I always want to play,” Rios said. “If they decide to give me a day off, it’s good to refresh your mind. But I don’t mind who’s pitching; I don’t care. It doesn’t bother me.”

Rios’ big left toe has been bothering him all year, and he’s going to have to deal with it for the remainder of the season.

“The injury, it’s not going to go away,” Rios said.

“As long as I’m playing baseball, it’s going to be there.”

Catching a break:Indians designated hitter Travis Hafner, who entered Wednesday with the third-highest batting average (.345) in the American League, was a late scratch with a sore right side.Grady Sizemore, Cleveland#146;s injury-prone center fielder, landed on the disabled list Monday with a sore right knee.In the White Sox#146; two-game series against Texas to start the week, which they split, the Rangers were playing without all three of their starting outfielders #8212; Josh Hamilton, Julio Borbon and Nelson Cruz #8212; who are on the disabled list.Figuring it out:Manager Ozzie Guillen is still trying to adjust to using a six-man starting rotation, which is why Phil Humber traded spots with Gavin Floyd.Had Jake Peavy struggled against the Indians Wednesday and made an early exit, Humber would have replaced him in relief.Peavy wound up pitching a complete game shutout, so Humber is still scheduled to make his start Friday against the Dodgers. Floyd pitches against Cleveland tonight.