Podsednik reportedly set to rejoin White Sox

While two Web sites are offering different views on whether Scott Podsednik has been called up, it appears he'll be joining the team very soon.

According to Foxsports.com's Ken Rosenthal, a major-league source told him that Podsednik has been called up to the White Sox.

Meanwhile, Podsednik's agent, Ryan Gleichowski, told espnchicago.com that the speedy outfielder would be called up on Friday.

The White Sox have not made any announcement, and team officials still have to determine which player will be sent down or cleared for assignment. Outfielder Jerry Owens reportedly cleared out his locker after Wednesday's game, but the Sox are off today and team officials told reporters that no decision would be made until Friday.

The Sox also have to determine what to do about Jim Thome, who has been out of the lineup with a heel injury. In Wednesday's 6-3 win over Seattle, Sox outfielder Brian Anderson was removed from the game after injuring a right oblique muscle. The Sox will evaluate the health of Thome and Anderson before boarding a plane on Friday for a three-game series against the Texas Rangers.

Podsednik, 33, a star for the White Sox in their 2005 championship season, has been playing for the Sox Triple-A club in Charlotte, hitting .262 with 2 errors and 1 steal in 10 games. His on-base percentage in Charlotte is .367 with 5 walks to go with 11 hits in 42 at bats. Four of his hits were doubles.

"He's thrilled," Gleichowski said in the ESPN report. "He's in great shape, feels great and is really looking forward to this opportunity."

But another Internet report offers a much different view. At Fanhouse.com, an anonymous scout was not impressed with Podsednik's skills. "He's gone backward, man," said a scout who recently watched Podsednik at Charlotte. "He doesn't look good at all. I'd keep Jerry Owens over this Podsednik. He's a below-average center fielder right now."

The scout went on to say that Podsednik was clocked from home to first base in 4.2-4.3 seconds, which is below-average for a lefty hitter.