Will Peavy provide a spark?

Didn’t hear the broadcast earlier in the week, but it sounds like the Hawk made a profound statement.

At some point during yet another loss to the rival Twins, longtime White Sox broadcaster Ken “Hawk” Harrelson said he has never seen such a roster full of such talent play so poorly.

You can certainly put that on the board.

Wow, what an enigmatic team this is.

Heading into Friday night’s late game against the Mariners at Safeco Field, the Sox had a roster loaded with proven performers.

They also had the worst record (11-21) in baseball and, not surprisingly, just about every fan has been freaking out.

Understandable, but the White Sox now find themselves with a problem typically reserved for only baseball’s best.

They have six quality arms for five spots in the starting rotation.

Believe it or not, Jake Peavy is back.

In case you forgot about him, he’s that pint-sized bulldog with the violent mechanics.

He’s also the guy that won the National League Cy Young Award in 2007 after going 19-6 with a 2.54 ERA for the Padres.

Peavy was injured (ankle) when Sox general manager Kenny Williams traded four quality prospects to San Diego to get him at the July 31 deadline in 2009.

Since that point, Peavy has had shoulder trouble and he’s been sidelined the past 10 months with a detached lat muscle.

But after making his final rehab start with Class AAA Charlotte Thursday night, Peavy is back with the Sox and he should make his first start on Wednesday, against the Angels in Anaheim, Calif.

“Nothing is definite,” White Sox pitching coach Don Cooper told ESPN Chicago Friday in Seattle. “We haven’t sat down and spoke about it. But it looks good for the 11th (of May).”

That’s good news for the Sox, considering the fiery Peavy could be the guy to jump in and get a lost season turned around.

But on a team desperately in need of offense, how ironic is it that they’re going to have to drop a solid starter.

The odd-man out figures to be Phil Humber, who was brilliant again Friday night against the Mariners.

Humber pitched 7 innings and fared well in his head-to-head matchup against the Mariners’ Felix Hernandez, the AL’s defending Cy Young winner.

Humber allowed 2 runs on 3 hits, but he is likely to move into a long relief role now that Peavy’s back.

If the offense doesn’t turn it around soon, maybe the White Sox can move Humber to designated hitter.

sgregor@dailherald.com