Thome could see time at first base against Cubs
Playing Jim Thome at first base against the Cubs at Wrigley Field this weekend was not an option … until Tuesday.
That's when the White Sox placed Paul Konerko on the 15-day disabled list with a strained left oblique muscle, forcing Nick Swisher to move from center field to first.
With no other first basemen available, Thome might get his glove out when the Sox invade Wrigley.
"I don't know yet," Sox manager Ozzie Guillen said. "Now that I have the problem with Konerko, it's a little different. When Konerko was here, I had two first basemen, and I could do a lot of different things."
Thome has had back problems the past few seasons, and Guillen doesn't want to risk an injury.
"I told him not to take any groundballs or do anything because you're not going to be better from one day to another," Guillen said. "We'll see what happens. He'll prepare.
"I'm going to let him know that I don't want him doing anything at first base. Just get there and catch the ball when they throw it to you. If they hit a groundball to you and you miss it, blame it on me."
Thome has played only four games at first base since joining the White Sox in 2006. The 37-year-old designated hitters said he still can play defense.
"I know maybe there is a possibility of doing it," Thome said. "That's Ozzie's call. I think we'll talk more about that more as we get closer to the weekend. If need be, we'll get out there."
Watching history: Jim Thome's 3-run homer Tuesday was the 521st of his career, tying the White Sox' DH with Ted Williams and Willie McCovey for 16th place on the all-time list.
Thome stressed "special" when talking about his latest accomplishment, and Sox catcher A.J. Pierzynski agreed.
"It's amazing when you see the names on the list and what he's accomplishing," Pierzynski said. "Every time he hits a home run it's another Hall of Famer, a Hall of Fame name, a Hall of Fame name.
"To know Jim will be a part of that one day, and to be able to look back and say I got to play with Jim Thome is going to be great. Just like Barry (Bonds). I got to see Barry pass Willie Mays, got to see Barry hit 700 home runs. It's amazing to watch and see how good these guys really are."
Pierzynski and Bonds were teammates on the San Francisco Giants in 2004.
Signing day: The White Sox agreed to terms with 19 of their picks from the amateur draft Wednesday.
Among the players signing were third baseman Brent Morel, a third-round pick, and outfielder Kenny Williams Jr., a sixth-round pick and the son of Sox general manager Kenny Williams.