In first game, Ramirez has major impact
TUCSON, Ariz. -- Is Alexei Ramirez going to win a spot on the White Sox' 25-man roster?
That's a question for another day, but the wiry infielder/center fielder made a major impression Thursday in his first exhibition game with the Sox.
"It's one game,'' manager Ozzie Guillen said. "A lot of people say it means nothing. It might mean a lot to him, his first game in the United States and he performed the way he performed.''
Even better than playing a solid defensive game at shortstop, Ramirez went 4-for-5, scored 3 runs and drove in another.
"It's hard since I'm facing professional pitching now,'' said Ramirez, who played the last seven years with Pinar del Rio in the Cuban League. "But I'm real happy with the way I played today. I feel like the way I did in Cuba. The confidence Ozzie Guillen gave me, he said just go out there and have fun, and that's what I'm going to do.''
The big question is, where is Ramirez going to play? He was at shortstop in both intrasquad games and Thursday's game against the Colorado Rockies.
But the White Sox acquired Orlando Cabrera in an off-season trade from the Los Angeles Angels, and he's the starting shortstop.
Ramirez played some second base in Cuba, and that's where he's likely to surface.
"I do love shortstop, but any position that I'm at that day -- second base, or any position -- I'm going to give it my all and have fun with it,'' Ramirez said.
Said Guillen: "Right now we have to work with him at second base if he's going to make it. He's pretty rough at second base. He hasn't played there that much. I'm going to talk to (general manager) Kenny (Williams) and see what we're going to do with this kid. I think he's got a lot of talent.
"I'm not sure if he's going to end at shortstop or second base or play everywhere, but the first game he showed he's good and showed a lot of speed. He seems like he knows what he's doing.''
Garland weighs in: The White Sox are widely believed to be no better than a third-place team in the American League Central this season.
Former starter Jon Garland, who was traded to the Los Angeles Angels for shortstop Orlando Cabrera, said he would be surprised if the Sox won the division.
"I would be,'' Garland said on WMVP 1000-AM Thursday. "Only because of how well Cleveland played last year. They have that young team. And then the off-season moves that Detroit made. It's kind of hard to look past them with what they did.
"But it always goes back to who can stay the healthiest. I think you can have the greatest team in the world. If they're not healthy, they're not going to perform on the field.''
Ready to play: Center fielder Jerry Owens said his strained groin is feeling better and he should be ready to play his first Cactus League game today.
"Today I went out there and tested it a little bit,'' Owens said. "It feels good. I just want to play, so I'm going to do everything I can to get it there.''
White Sox 12, Rockies 3
White Sox' record: 1-1
At the plate: Alexei Ramirez (4-for-5) sparked the White Sox' 18-hit attack. Brian Anderson was 2-for-5 with 2 RBI. Nick Swisher was 1-for-3 with a walk and 2 RBI.
On the mound: Starter Jose Contreras pitched 3 strong innings, allowing 1 unearned run on 1 hit. Scott Linebrink gave up 1 run on 3 hits in 1 inning.
Next: Mark Buehrle starts against the Diamondbacks today in Tucson.
-- Scot Gregor