Opening day second baseman?

[justBLAZE]

TUCSON -- Jayson Nix's sizzling spring has been put on hold and might be over altogether.

 

The White Sox infielder, battling for the second-base job, re-injured the strained right quadriceps that he suffered during Chicago's March 4 game against the Cubs in Las Vegas and could be out until after the regular season starts.

 

Nix, 26, aggravated the quad while legging out a double in Tuesday's 7-6 loss to the D-backs at Tucson Electric Park, and manager Ozzie Guillen said the team will now give Nix all the time he needs to get healthy again.

 

"I'm kind of worried about him," Guillen said. "With that type of injury, it's hard to recover quick. Right now, we should give him enough time, no matter what stage of Spring Training, to get him healthy."

 

With a hands-off approach to this sensitive, unpredictable type of injury, it appears time is running out to get ready for Opening Day for Nix, who was signed by the Sox as a free agent last October after playing in 22 games for the Rockies in 2008.

 

Nix has been competing for the second-base job with Gordon Beckham, Chris Getz and Brent Lillibridge and responding to the challenge. After Tuesday, Nix had a .462 spring batting average in the seven games he'd been healthy enough to play in.

 

"He was playing good, making all the plays," Guillen said.

 

"Now it's best for the team and him to make sure he heals completely."

Link.

Edited March 18, 2009 by tommy

[CaliSoxFanViaSWside]

This makes Getz the overwhelming favorite but also gives more playing time to Beckham and Lillibridge a few more chances to fix the giant hole in his bat. Most of us here realize that almost no matter how well Beckham performed this spring he was most likely destined for the minors. Now Beckham has a legit shot to stick.

[daa84]

getz will likely be the starter, but id prefer to see Nix on the bench than lillibridge, especially if Nix can play SS

[CaliSoxFanViaSWside]

getz will likely be the starter, but id prefer to see Nix on the bench than lillibridge, especially if Nix can play SS

I think at this point most of us prefer Nix over Lillibridge however the point of the article is that he's hurt now and possibly won't be ready for opening day.

[BearSox]

It's looking more and more like Betemit will be the backup SS (shudders). Man, how awesome would it have been if Lillibridge showed some ability to hit this spring. He could have been a real good option off the bench to platoon at 2B vs. lefties and backup at SS, CF, and LF. Oh well, he will be the starting SS for Charlotte.

 

I'm assuming the bench will look something like:

 

C Corky Miller

INF Betemit

1B/OF Kroeger

OF Anderson

[justBLAZE]

I was kinda excited for Lillibridge especially after the Braves fan were so pissed to see him leave...

 

I don't even know why?

[sf_soxfan]

Nix was my candidate for 2B - sorry to see this...

[Kenny Hates Prospects]

It seems Nix might have done all he needed to do this spring to get a real shot at playing time in MLB. The Sox sound impressed with him, and they can afford to keep him on the 40-man while he's injured (if he's injured still or rehabbing as the season starts). From there, he's got a shot at a bench job because I doubt the Sox would let him hit waivers with them having a rookie 2B no matter what.

 

The only way Nix is out of the organization is if Beckham becomes the everyday starter at 2B with Getz moving to the bench. With Beckham, he's your backup SS and can play there with Getz starting at 2B when Alexei needs a day off. And even then, Nix would have be injured through the rest of ST and/or Getz would have to beat him out on top of that. Getz has minor league options left, so there should be no problem sending him down to Charlotte as insurance with an eye on calling him up in May or June if somebody goes down or if one of Nix/Beckham isn't getting it done.

 

[Kenny Hates Prospects]

It's looking more and more like Betemit will be the backup SS (shudders). Man, how awesome would it have been if Lillibridge showed some ability to hit this spring. He could have been a real good option off the bench to platoon at 2B vs. lefties and backup at SS, CF, and LF. Oh well, he will be the starting SS for Charlotte.

 

I'm assuming the bench will look something like:

 

C Corky Miller

INF Betemit

1B/OF Kroeger

OF Anderson

It doesn't look like Lilli is going to make the team with the way he's hitting, but I'd take defense at SS over offense off the bench any day of the week. Betemit has no business being in the middle of the infield. Hopefully if Getz or Nix end up on the bench they can at least make the plays hit right at them.

[4 points]

 

Of all the 2nd base canidates, I have to say that I doubt Jayson`s in the "Nix".

[Kyyle23]

Of all the 2nd base canidates, I have to say that I doubt Jayson`s in the "Nix".

 

*rimshot*

 

folks, please try the fish

 

 

 

Quad injuries are just brutal. As soon as you think they are healed up and push it a little bit you can end up right back at square 1.

[NorthSideSox72]

It's looking more and more like Betemit will be the backup SS (shudders). Man, how awesome would it have been if Lillibridge showed some ability to hit this spring. He could have been a real good option off the bench to platoon at 2B vs. lefties and backup at SS, CF, and LF. Oh well, he will be the starting SS for Charlotte.

 

I'm assuming the bench will look something like:

 

C Corky Miller

INF Betemit

1B/OF Kroeger

OF Anderson

Much as I'd like the Sox to give him a closer look, I don't think they intend for Kroeger go make the team. He's Charlotte bound. One of Nix or Lillibridge will likely make the team. Kroeger would be add a 6th OF in your scenario, since Betemit can play the corners, and a Betemit can play 1B as well.