Peavy says he’s OK with rotation

Unfortunately for Jake Peavy, he’s gotten used to playing the waiting game.

The White Sox’ starting pitcher just returned to the rotation last week after missing 10 months with a detached lat muscle.

Peavy fared as well as could be expected after such a lengthy layoff, pitching 6 innings against the Angels and allowing 4 runs on 7 hits.

Now, as the Sox have opted to go with a six-man starting rotation, it will be a one-week break when Peavy starts Wednesday night against the Indians.

Suffice to say, Peavy was diplomatic when asked about the crowded group of White Sox starters.

“Obviously, I’ve pitched in a five-man and had a day off, but we are going one week,” Peavy said. “I know some people like to stay in the routine and I certainly do, too. I have no problems staying in a routine of things. But the more time you have off, the better you are going to feel. That’s the bottom line.

“You can throw a couple of sides and throw off of flat ground to stay sharp. I don’t think there’s any excuse.”

Before Monday night’s game, Sox manager Ozzie Guillen said he expects to eventually switch back to a five-man rotation.

Look for that to happen in June, when the White Sox have four off days. They are currently in a stretch of 20 straight games.

Even with his recent rash of injuries, Peavy is an old-school type who would probably prefer pitching in a four-man rotation. But he is not saying one negative word about the six-man.

“Any bad comes out of this thing, as far as guys doing bad or saying they are not sharp, I’m going to have to say that’s a hoax,” Peavy said. “The longer you go without pitching, as long as it’s not a couple of weeks, you will do plenty enough in between starts to stay sharp and you should feel outstanding.”

Santos settling in:He is still not the #147;official#148; closer, but the odds are incredibly good that Sergio Santos is getting the ball when the Sox are leading in the ninth inning.#147;He#146;s pitched good,#148; manager Ozzie Guillen said. #147;One thing about it, as long as we high-five after the game, I don#146;t care how he pitches.#148;Not only is Santos 5-for-5 in save tries this season, the 27-year-old right-hander hasn#146;t allowed a run in 19 innings.#147;I#146;m not trying to get ahead of myself,#148; Santos said. #147;I#146;m ready to go when they call on me, and luckily it#146;s been the ninth inning.#148;A light-hitting minor-league shortstop until the spring of 2010, Santos has made remarkable strides in just over a year.#147;I am absolutely enjoying this,#148; Santos said. #147;It#146;s a good role. I like it when you get the lead and the team hands you the ball and says, #145;All right, go get the last three outs and let#146;s go home.#146; It#146;s exciting and I#146;m enjoying it as it#146;s happening.#148;Teahen update:Mark Teahen (strained oblique) was not in the starting lineup Monday, but he was apparently feeling better and available to pinch-hit.#147;Teahen is OK,#148; manager Ozzie Guillen said. #147;We have to see how he feels tomorrow to see if he can play every day.#148;