Williams: Peavy won't face Cubs at Wrigley

There is still no firm debut date for Jake Peavy, but White Sox general manager Kenny Williams on Monday did say the 2007 National League Cy Young Award winner won't start against the Cubs in a Sept. 3 makeup game at Wrigley Field.

"He got hurt on the bases," Williams said. "He's not going to pitch against the Cubs."

Before coming over to the Sox in a July 31 trade from the San Diego Padres, Peavy injured his right ankle in a May 22 game against the Cubs. He made 3 more starts before landing on the disabled list June 9.

Peavy makes his second start for Class AAA Charlotte on Tuesday night. Williams said the 28-year-old pitcher will make another start after that, so he still is on schedule to pitch on Aug. 28 against New York at Yankee Stadium.

Peavy's second start could be Sept. 2, when the Sox play the Twins in their final game in the dreaded Metrodome.

There always is a chance Peavy is going to need more than 3 rehab starts to get ready.

"He knows his body more than we do," Williams said. "Just be smart. I don't want him rushing back just because we're behind in the standings and had a bad start here or there. His health is the primary concern."

Meet the new guy: Alex Rios made his U.S. Cellular Field debut Monday, a week after being claimed off waivers from the Toronto Blue Jays.

Rios was 3-for-19 with the Sox on the West Coast. He was 2-for-3 with a walk against the Royals.

"It's been a great start for me," Rios said. "We've won a few games, and that's what I want to do here. I want to help this team win as many games as they can."

Rios made his fourth straight start in center field. In his first game with the White Sox at Seattle last Wednesday, he played right.

"I've played right field most of my career, so I feel pretty good there," Rios said. "And center, I'm a big fan of center field. You get to run around and chase balls everywhere, so it's pretty fun. On the field, wherever they need me. I'm here to help the team win."

Thome sits: Designated hitter Jim Thome wasn't in the starting lineup Monday after coming out of Sunday's game at Oakland with a sore left heel.

The injury has flared up on Thome throughout the season, and he was limping a bit in the clubhouse before batting practice.

Manager Ozzie Guillen said he's not sure when Thome will be back in the lineup. Scott Podsednik was the White Sox' DH Monday.