Peavy could return to rotation Wednesday

Earlier this week, White Sox manager Ozzie Guillen was asked when he'll really believe injury-prone starting pitcher Jake Peavy is going to be ready to contribute.

“Next year in spring training I will know like, ‘Wow, we've got him back,'” Guillen said with just a touch of sarcasm.

Given Peavy's run of health issues over the past two seasons, the low expectations are understandable.

But the Sox' 29-year-old starter appears to be cleared for takeoff after making another rehab start for Class AAA Charlotte on Thursday night at Toledo.

Throwing 100 pitches, which was the goal going in, Peavy worked 7 innings and allowed 5 runs on 4 hits. He also had 5 strikeouts.

The Mud Hens had all of their runs and hits in one inning, the third. Will Rhymes hit a 2-run triple off Peavy, and Ryan Strieby added a 2-run homer.

Assuming he checks out OK after the outing, Peavy is expected to rejoin the White Sox' rotation and his first start could come as early as Wednesday, against the Angels in Anaheim, Calif.

Peavy hasn't pitched for the Sox since July 6 of last season, when he suffered a detached lat muscle in his right posterior shoulder during a start against the Angels at U.S. Cellular Field.

The unusual injury was initially expected to sideline Peavy for one year, but it looks like he'll be back in 10 months.

“Nobody is more crazy about getting him back than we are, especially myself,” Guillen said. “We'll wait and see and hopefully we are going to take baby steps and see where we are and see how that works.”