Williams likely to put changes on hold

At U.S. Cellular Field last Wednesday, general manager Kenny Williams said he'd seen enough from the underachieving White Sox and was prepared to make roster changes.

Williams is likely to wait closer to the July 31 nonwaiver trade deadline before acting on his promise. And, who knows, maybe Williams will wind up adding pieces rather than subtracting.

With Tuesday's 6-4 win over the Pirates in Pittsburgh, the Sox have won five of six. Plus, they still have catcher A.J. Pierzynski, who became a 10-and-5 player Monday and now has the right to veto any trades for the rest of the season.

"I think we're all happy to have A.J. back, keep him here, and I think that's a sign to the players to listen," manager Ozzie Guillen told reporters. "I think we at least have a chance to turn this thing around. It's not going to be easy, but we got a chance."

Sox to face Strasburg: The Washington Nationals made it official Tuesday - rookie phenom Stephen Strasburg is going to start against the White Sox on Friday night at Nationals Park. He will oppose Mark Buehrle.

Strasburg was named National League Player of the Week after striking out 22 while winning his first 2 major-league starts against the Pirates (14 strikeouts) and Indians (8).

The 21-year-old right-hander did have 5 walks in 51/3 innings during his last start, at Cleveland on Sunday.

One for the books: Against the Cubs on Sunday night, Gavin Floyd had a no-hitter going for 62/3 innings. His mound opponent, Ted Lilly, pitched 8 innings of no-hit ball.

According to the Elias Sports Bureau, it was the first time at least 41 outs were recorded without a hit since Sept. 9, 1965, when the Dodgers' Sandy Koufax pitched a perfect game against the Cubs.

Cubs starter Bob Hendley allowed just 1 hit, a double with two outs in the seventh inning.

Around the horn: After missing the Cubs series, Omar Vizquel rejoined the White Sox in Pittsburgh and started at third base. He was 0-for-5 while batting second. Vizquel had to return to his native Venezuela for personal matters. - First-base coach Harold Baines is going to have right-knee replacement surgery and miss 6-8 weeks. Pregame instructor Omar Munoz will take Baines' place. - After Tuesday's loss, the Pirates were expected to recall third baseman Pedro Alvarez and start their top prospect against the White Sox tonight. Alvarez, the No. 2 overall pick in the 2008 draft, was batting .277 with 13 homers, 15 doubles and 53 RBI at Class AAA Indianapolis.