White Sox’ Teahen faces uphill battle for third-base job

GLENDALE, Ariz. — There may come a point this spring when Mark Teahen sees the writing on the wall and asks Kenny Williams for a change of scenery, assuming the White Sox’ general manager can unload a chunk of the $10.25 million remaining on the third baseman’s contract over the next two seasons.

For now, Teahen is in the White Sox’ training camp and he’s prepared to battle slick-fielding Brent Morel for the starting job at third.

“I came up as a third baseman and that’s where I’m most comfortable,” Teahen said. “Obviously, last year didn’t go as planned. But I’ll come in here and try to earn that job and go from there.”

After coming over in a trade from the Royals before the 2010 season, Teahen got off to a miserable start both offensively and defensively.

And just as he was starting to put it together, batting .368 over a 12-game stretch in May, Teahen fractured his right middle finger and missed 10 weeks.

“Last year I started getting rolling and then got hurt, so for me the off-season was to get where I wanted my body to be and make sure I was healthy as possible,” Teahen said. “Just come in here with a clear mind and be ready to attack this year.”

While Morel is the overwhelming favorite to win the staring job at third, manager Ozzie Guillen is not pulling the plug on Teahen just yet.

“They will have playing time,” Guillen said. “My wish is that we make that decision quicker and make sure those guys know where they stand and what their roles are going to be. If Morel doesn’t make the team, what is he going to do? We have to make that decision quick enough to give those guys a chance to do what they are supposed to do. I have to wait until the games start to see what happens.”

Full house:

Tuesday is the first full-squad workout for the White Sox, but most of the position players are already in camp.

Adam Dunn, Alex Rios, Gordon Beckham and Juan Pierre, among others, took live batting practice Monday.

Paul Konerko, Alexei Ramirez, Carlos Quentin and nonroster outfielder Lastings Milledge are all due in Tuesday.

“I think PK is not here because he has to drive all the way from his house (in nearby Scottsdale), so he might be late,” manager Ozzie Guillen cracked. “PK is the only one I worry about showing up on time because he’s driving here.”

Weighing in:

Chris Sale has “bulked up” to 175 pounds, and the 6-foot-6 relief pitcher is drinking as many protein shakes as he can handle this spring.

But manager Ozzie Guillen said gaining weight can have a down side.

“I remember when I was a kid they told me: ‘You need to gain some weight,’” Guillen said. “Then I put on a little weight and I lost my job because I was a little fat. I let the players develop themselves. When the years go by, you’re going to get stronger and stronger. You see Gordon (Beckham) right now and he looks like a man. Gordon built up himself.”