Thome to get break against Cubs

Just when Jim Thome's back is feeling well enough to get him back on the field, he figures to be headed back to the bench soon.

Thome was out of the starting lineup for the third straight game Saturday night, even though manager Ozzie Guillen said his slugging designated hitter could have played.

"He's feeling a lot better," Guillen said prior to the White Sox' game against Colorado. "I'm going to give him another day just to be sure we're on the right track."

After today's series finale against Colorado, the White Sox have an off day Monday. Their homestand resumes Tuesday against Pittsburgh. After three games, they head crosstown to play the Cubs for three, starting Friday afternoon, at Wrigley Field. Since the DH is not used at National League parks in interleague games, Thome figures to be on the bench, regardless if he's healthy enough to play.

"He will be available to pinch hit," Guillen said. "I try to stay away from him (playing) at first base the most I can. I have (Nick) Swisher who can play first, too. Last year we played (Thome) a little bit and all of a sudden he takes like two weeks to recover."

Thome, who turns 38 in August, is hitting just .219 but has 13 homers.

"A lot of people think playing first base is easy. It's not easy," Guillen said. "You have to move a lot, you have to do different stuff, your body's got to get used to it. I'm pretty sure we're not going to use (Thome) at first base -- unless something really drastic happens."

While Thome might not get the chance to swing the bat at Wrigley Field, where he's hit .342 in 32 career at-bats with 3 home runs, White Sox pitchers will bat.

"They're hitting today at the (indoor) cage, and tomorrow and the next day they're going to hit on the field," Guillen said prior to Saturday night's game. "I'm not into the pitchers hitting. (Coaches) Joey (Cora) and Greg (Walker), they know what they're doing. I don't want (the pitchers) over-swinging and all of a sudden they get hurt."

Her day, too: Ozzie Guillen may wear the baseball pants in his family, but he knows how important his wife, Ibis, has been in raising the couple's three children: sons Oswaldo Jr., Oney and Ozney.

That's why he thinks today should be special for her, as well.

"Father's Day is for my wife," Ozzie Sr. said. "She's the real father. I was renting the house. Father's Day is something special, especially if your father is still alive. If your father is still alive, you enjoy it the most you can because you never know when he's going to go.

"I told my three kids, 'I don't need no gift. Just give me some love and respect.' That's all I want from my kids."