Fields takes over at 3rd base for sidelined Crede
DETROIT - Last year, third baseman Josh Fields joined the White Sox when Joe Crede had season-ending back surgery in June.
Fields was recalled from Class AAA Charlotte on Friday after Crede went down again, this time to the 15-day disabled list with "back lumbar inflammation.''
In the Sox' 6-5 win over the Tigers at Comerica Park, Fields was 1-for-3 with a walk and an error.
"Both circumstances I've been called up are odd circumstances,'' Fields said. "I don't think guys want to be called up because someone gets hurt, but you try to take advantage of the opportunity. It's been a weird year so far for myself, and I'm sure Joe is upset. I know he wants to be playing right now. Hopefully, I can come in and help the team while he's out.''
Fields struggled a bit in his 2008 debut, but the 25-year-old infielder showed he can be an asset last season while batting .244 with 23 home runs and 67 RBI in 100 games.
When he was sent to Charlotte at the end of spring training, Fields was not a happy camper.
" I was very frustrated and kind of upset,'' Fields said. "You've got to come to a point in time where you say, 'What can I do?'''
Fields kept his mouth shut while batting .248 with 9 homers and 30 RBI in 59 games with Charlotte this season. He also spent time on the DL with a right knee injury.
On the shelf: After enduring surgery last summer, Joe Crede isn't overly concerned about the lower back inflammation that put him on the disabled list Friday.
"There's kind of some soreness back there more than anything,'' Crede said. "We decided to be cautious and went in there and had a cortisone shot (Thursday) just to calm everything down. The one thing that's encouraging above everything else is that it's not similar to what I was feeling where I had the surgery last year. There's nothing structurally damaged or anything.''
Crede was hoping to make it through the entire season without a significant setback.
"It's just frustrating,'' Crede said. "You would hope that after you have the surgery and go through the rehab stuff that you wouldn't have it act up again. I didn't want to go on the DL for it, but I'll take advantage of this time off, let it heal itself together and move on.''
Loaiza released: The White Sox released Esteban Loaiza Friday.
After being claimed off waivers from the Dodgers, the 36-year-old pitcher allowed 1 run in 3 innings with the Sox this season. But Loaiza's velocity was noticeably low.
"He didn't get it done,'' manager Ozzie Guillen said. "I feel for him, it's not an easy call. But sooner or later, like I said a couple weeks ago, we have to make a decision for the ballclub and for him. (General manager) Kenny Williams doesn't like to hold people hostage. We gave him the opportunity, and we didn't like what we saw.''