White Sox should have closer back Friday
The Chicago White Sox don’t seem to have missed closer Bobby Jenks, who has been sidelined with kidney stones off and on for nearly a week.
Entering Thursday’s series finale with the Angels – bet on the game at WagerWeb.com – the White Sox have won four of five games. That’s even more impressive considering it’s against the division-leading Yankees and Angels.
Jenks recently had a kidney stone blasted (that just sounds painful) and should be available to pitch no later than Friday.
Guillen intimated he would employ his closer in a non-save situation when he comes back, as he did Saturday in the ninth inning of a 14-4 victory over the New York Yankees. Jenks then had to be rushed to the hospital on Tuesday when he had a problem with the stones again.
“I don’t think we’re going to put him in right away,” said Guillen, who has dealt with kidney stone pain in the past. “I don’t think we should. That’s not good for us or good for him. We’ll figure it out little by little and get back to his role.”
Guillen has used a closer-by-committee approach in Jenks’ absence, involving Matt Thornton, Scott Linebrink and Octavio Dotel.
Meanwhile, shortstop Alexei Ramirez suffered a sprained right ankle while trying to break up a double play on July 29 in a 3-2 loss against the Twins. He hasn’t played since but could be back Friday as well.
However, Ramirez will move down in the lineup and Gordon Beckham will stay at No. 2. Since taking over there July 29 — the same day Ramirez sprained his right ankle — Beckham is batting .407 with five doubles, one home run and nine RBIs.
Beckham was named AL Rookie of the Month after batting .330 (32-for-97) with 10 doubles, 3 home runs and 18 RBIs in July.
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