Relivers miss chance to impress

[DBAHO]

TUCSON, Ariz. -- What had been just an annoyance is starting to become a problem for the White Sox.

 

Rain wiped out their Cactus League opener Thursday against the Arizona Diamondbacks, postponing the managerial debut for Ozzie Guillen after a lost night's sleep.

 

"I couldn't sleep last night, thinking about the game and people calling me wishing me luck," Guillen said. "I was excited to come down [to the park]."

 

Since the first day of camp the weather has been cool and damp, but until Thursday it didn't hinder the Sox plans.

 

"It's not fun to go out and practice and it's 45 degrees and windy and rainy," Guillen said.

 

Thursday was supposed to be the start of the battle for the fifth spot in the rotation. Dan Wright and Neal Cotts, both scheduled to pitch Thursday, will throw Friday.

 

For Cotts, a native of Belleville and Illinois State, the weather the last couple weeks is nothing new.

 

"In college, I pitched in this junk my whole career, so it's kind of normal," Cotts said.

 

The weather is supposed to break beginning Friday, and the Sox actually have two games scheduled. Jon Garland, Wright, Cotts and Felix Diaz will pitch against Colorado while Esteban Loaiza, Mark Buehrle, Shingo Takatsu, Billy Koch and David Sanders will face the Diamondbacks.

 

The big losers from Thursday's weather were relievers hoping to make an impression such as Jose Santiago, Jon Adkins, Enemencio Pacheco and Matt Ginter. They were supposed to pitch Thursday.

 

"The guys who get hurt out of this are the guys who were going to pitch the last couple innings," Guillen said. "Now we have to find a 'B' game."

 

Guillen said they may try to schedule an extra split-squad game with either the Diamondbacks or Rockies, two teams that also train in Tucson.

 

"When you're fighting for a job you don't want to pitch in a 'B' game, but we have to do it," Guillen said. "I talked to them and told them not to worry about it, it doesn't mean you're not on the team, I just want to see them the most I can."

 

Thursday's rainout was more of a problem for pitchers than hitters, who still took their swings in the batting cages.

 

"The only difference is you don't get the four at-bats off a real pitcher," first baseman Paul Konerko said. "You don't get the defensive work, but you probably get a better workout in the weight room because you're inside all day."

 

With a six-week spring training, one missed day isn't going make that much difference.

 

"It could be a good thing," Konerko said. "By the last five, six days [of spring training], you're ready."

 

Guillen found one other positive in the washout.

 

"I couldn't [mess] up," he said.

[slick03]

Guillen found one other positive in the washout.

 

"I couldn't [mess] up," he said.

....he cracks me up

[DBAHO]

  ....he cracks me up 

At least he's being honest.

[Iguana]

  ....he cracks me up 

this is a far cry from the mono tone of JM. i like to see the manager having fun and joking. that makes the players loose and not pressing. thus, they will play better.

[Queen Prawn]

this is a far cry from the mono tone of JM.  i like to see the manager having fun and joking.  that makes the players loose and not pressing.  thus, they will play better.

I agree 100%. So far activity in ST has given me more hope than I had pre-ST.

 

On a great side note, I broke out my new spring Sox jacket.

[slick03]

this is a far cry from the mono tone of JM.  i like to see the manager having fun and joking.  that makes the players loose and not pressing.  thus, they will play better.

exactly