Logan at a loss to explain situation
From late April to early July, Boone Logan was a weapon out of the White Sox' bullpen.
The left-hander allowed just 2 runs in 23 innings over that stretch and helped the Sox climb into first place in the AL Central.
But Logan started slipping right as the first half of the season wound down. The 23-year-old reliever has allowed 10 runs (8 earned) on 10 hits in his last 2 innings, raising his ERA from 1.95 to 3.86.
What has been the problem?
"Your guess is as good as mine,'' Logan said. "I'm still going out there and making my pitches. I feel great; this is probably the best I've felt all year. It's just that one pitch that's been getting me lately.
"I've been getting ahead of all the hitters. It's that one pitch that I've been leaving up. It really just comes down to making pitches.''
Logan was a rock out of the bullpen for much of the first half, but he has been steadily sinking.
After Monday night's loss to Texas, manager Ozzie Guillen warned his scuffling team that changes could be made before - or after - the July 31 nonwaiver trade deadline.
"I can't let that stuff bother me,'' Logan said. "I told myself to stop thinking about stuff like that. If they're going to do something, they're going to do something. It's out of my hands. All I can do is help the team the best I can. Go out there and give them an inning or so or a lefty, whatever the case may be.''
Guillen said Logan still is in control of his destiny.
"He's going to dictate to me how I'm going to use him and how much confidence I'm going to have in him,'' Guillen said. "He's got to make the call. Either you're going to continue to pitch in tough situations or you're not.''
Feeling better: Jose Contreras threw 50 pitches off flat ground before Tuesday night's game against Texas and reported no pain.
"My arm feels great,'' said Contreras, who was placed on the 15-day disabled list (retroactive to July 14) with elbow tendinitis. "It feels fine.''
Contreras could rejoin the Sox' rotation July 30, but he might be sent to the minor leagues on a rehabilitation assignment.
"It isn't my decision,'' Contreras said through a translator. "It's (manager) Ozzie (Guillen) and Coop's (pitching coach Don Cooper's) decision.
"The arm feels fine. The last time I was on the DL, it was for my back and I didn't have to make a rehab start. I don't think it's necessary, but it's not my decision.''
Clayton Richard was called up from Class AAA Charlotte to take Contreras' spot in the rotation. The left-hander makes his major-league debut today against the Rangers.
Trainer's room: Third baseman Joe Crede (lower back stiffness) was a late scratch Tuesday.
After missing Monday's game with a bruised right knee, right fielder Jermaine Dye returned to the lineup and went 3-for-4.
Reliever Nick Masset left the game in the ninth inning after being hit in the chest by a one-hopper off the bat of Milton Bradley.