Pierzynski plans to play as long as he can

GLENDALE, Ariz. — A.J. Pierzynski was grumpy, sarcastic and honest Thursday before hitting the field for his first workout of spring training.

Call him the same old A.J., but he turned 35 on Dec. 30 and is entering the final season of his contract.

Pierzynski is also coming off his first significant injury, a fractured wrist that forced him on the disabled list last August.

“I'll play as long as I can play, as long as my body holds up,” Pierzynski said. “Physically, I'm as good as I've been in a long time. I've been very fortunate, I haven't had any major injuries.”

Pierzynski enters camp as the White Sox' No. 1 catcher, but Tyler Flowers is going to push him hard for playing time this season.

To prepare for what figures to be his eighth and final year with the Sox, Pierzynski did more hitting during the off-season.

“Just because of my wrist last year, I had to really push it this winter to make sure it was better,” Pierzynski said. “You guys all got on (Adam) Dunn last year for not hitting; I hadn't hit in five years in the off-season, at least. Some guys just don't do it. I hit a whole lot in the off-season when I was younger and by the time I got to spring training, I was kind of bored and burned out going to the cage.”

It's a first:On his first day as the White Sox' new manager, Robin Ventura said a few words to his pitchers and catchers and spent most of Thursday's workout session observing.#8220;It's obviously different coming out, addressing the team and being able to go through everything we did today,#8221; Ventura said. #8220;It's nice to finally get it started.#8221;Ventura did throw a little batting practice, which is usually handled by coaches.#8220;I feel that's just part of being involved and seeing certain things,#8221; Ventura said. #8220;At the end of my career playing I actually threw B.P. That's when I knew I was done. It's a different perspective. You can just see things when you throw B.P. to guys.#8221;Heat is on:General manager Kenny Williams said he offered to step down last season and was rebuffed by chairman Jerry Reinsdorf.If the White Sox have another losing season, Williams knows he could be out of a job.#8220;Listen, I've always been fortunate, felt fortunate, to be part of this whole equation,#8221; Williams said. #8220;If there comes a time where (Reinsdorf) believes that there's somebody that can do this job in a better way and provide him with a better chance to win and build an organization and do the things that it takes to build an organization, I'll be the first one to step up and say #8216;You need to make this move.'#8220;It's professional sports. If you do not win, and it has been three years since we've gone to the playoffs, if you don't win, changes are made.#8221;