Olique strain forces Sox’ Dunn back to bench
After missing two games at Detroit last weekend with a strained right oblique, Adam Dunn seemed to be fully recovered while going 3-for-8 with 2 doubles and 2 walks in a three-game home series against Minnesota.
But the oblique flared up on Dunn again, and the White Sox’ designated hitter/first baseman was not in the starting lineup against Kansas City on Friday night at U.S. Cellular Field.
“Just trying to take care of it and make sure nothing gets worse,” manager Robin Ventura said. “It’s just one of those things that keeps coming back every once in awhile.”
Ventura is hoping Dunn can play Saturday, but oblique strains are tough to shake.
“We are trying to care of it,” Ventura said. “We thought it was out of there; he thought it was out of there. You do the best you can at this point of the season.”
The Sox on Friday also played without third baseman Kevin Youkilis, who joined his wife for the birth of the couple’s first child. He’s expected back Sunday.
Floyd feeling better:Gavin Floyd threw 55 pitches off the mound on Thursday#146;s day off, and the right-handed starting pitcher said his sore elbow felt much better.#147;Very minimal soreness, ache,#148; Floyd said. #147;I threw some sliders, changeups, fastballs. So it was good, better than I expected. We have one more bullpen Sunday to throw curveballs, and I think that will be the final test as to how it feels and see how it reacts when I throw.#148;If Floyd feels good after Sunday#146;s session, he should be able to come off the disabled list. He#146;s not likely to start before Friday, against the Twins at Target Field.The White Sox have a big four-game series against the Detroit Tigers next week at the Cell. The probable starters are: Jose Quintana vs. Rick Porcello on Monday; Jake Peavy vs. Doug Fister on Tuesday; Francisco Liriano vs. Max Scherzer on Wednesday; Chris Sale vs. Justin Verlander on Thursday.Concern for McCarthy:Oakland Athletics starter Brandon McCarthy, who pitched for the Sox in 2005-06, was hit in the head by a line drive off the bat of the Angels#146; Erick Aybar on Wednesday.McCarthy reportedly still is in a #147;life-threatening#148; situation following surgery to relieve pressure on his brain after he suffered an epidural hemorrhage, brain contusion and skull fracture.#147;I texted him,#148; White Sox catcher A.J. Pierzynski said. #147;He#146;s a friend of mine. You never want to see a guy get hurt. You never want to see someone hit in the head. It#146;s a shame. I wish him a speedy recovery, and I hope he gets back soon.#148;