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Thomas not near being ready to return to big leagues
By Scott Merkin / MLB.com

Carl Everett has taken on the role of team leader since his addition to the White Sox. (Andy King/AP)
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MINNEAPOLIS -- For the past three years, Carl Everett has been part of the Chicago White Sox -- for at least part of the season.
Everett was acquired from the Rangers for three Minor Leaguers on July 1, 2003, and was re-acquired by Chicago from the Expos on July 18 of last season for pitchers Jon Rauch and Gary Majewski. But the 2005 season marked a change, of sorts, for Everett, as the switch-hitter was able to suit up with the White Sox from the beginning.

His offensive production has been crucial to the team's early success, as evidenced by Everett's two-run home run in the first inning Saturday against Minnesota's Brad Radke and his sacrifice fly in the third. Everett's presence in the clubhouse, though, has been just as important.

Even as a mid-season acquisition in 2004, players pointed to Everett as a galvanizing force among a group that went in different directions at times. Everett is very eloquent about his theories for success, but they all come down to a basic driving force -- all for one and one for all.

"Basically, the only thing I want to bring here is that we respect each other in every aspect of the game," Everett said prior to Saturday's game. "We all share a responsibility. We can't just look for one guy to press the issue. But sometimes a lot of guys want to be quiet, and then if one guy speaks up, a lot of people might be able to voice what they have to say.

"We want to put the emphasis out there that if you have something to say, nobody is going to stop you from saying it. We are a family and we can only win this game as a family. We all have to stick together. If we do that, good things can happen."

Everett backed up his thoughts by talking about the team-meeting concept. The 13-year veteran would rather have a group get-together, with one or two players airing positive or negative thoughts in front of everyone, than have those same couple of players fear reciprocity over their complaints and possibly take their gripes to the media.

Coming in at mid-season, or even later, meant Everett's first job was to figure out the team's overall morale. Starting a full season with the White Sox, and being completely recovered from his myriad of injuries in 2004, not only makes Everett part of that overall morale but also allows him to help continue to make it strong.

"In a quarter or a half of a season, you have to find out where everyone is just to have any input," Everett said. "But everyone that comes in, you have to be able to speak your mind and without any scrutiny, saying that if I say something, those guys are going to hate me.

"That's not going to be the case here. We are going to talk together and win together. That's how you win. Nine guys aren't going to win this thing. Twenty-five guys aren't going to win it, when you factor in injuries. We need everyone."

Making the adjustment: Maybe Everett is the right person to help Frank Thomas fit into this current crew, once Thomas comes back from rehabilitating his surgically repaired left ankle. Then again, a 15-year veteran probably won't need much help.

But it doesn't sound as if Thomas is any closer to returning, or going off on a Minor League rehab assignment, for that matter. White Sox athletic trainer Herm Schneider termed Thomas' condition as "status quo" on Saturday and that he still hasn't made close to the necessary strides to break through the scar tissue in his left ankle or do the running needed to get him to the next step.

Schneider said that there are still confidence issues that Thomas is dealing with his ankle, although it has been six months since his surgery. Schneider also stated that Thomas' situation really hasn't changed much since he first arrived in Tucson -- he's hitting the ball with authority but not running.

Thomas has talked to the White Sox from extended Spring Training in Arizona during the season's opening week. While the players are focused on a few other things right now, Thomas has not been forgotten.

"He's doing what he has to do, and we are doing what we have to do here," said Everett of Thomas. "I'm quite sure that when he comes back, he's going to be a great part of this team.

"When he gets in, he has to fit into what's going on now. He will have to wean himself into what we are doing. That's why we have to keep him abreast. He's still part of the family, even though he's not here, and we have to be one unit and stick together."

Sharing the wealth: With Timo Perez starting in right field and hitting fifth against Brad Radke on Saturday, Pablo Ozuna and backup catcher Chris Widger become the only non-pitchers who haven't played this season for the White Sox. Ozuna, though, looks to be getting the start in left field during Sunday night's series finale.

As for Widger, the 33-year-old veteran will get a start during the three games in Cleveland, according to manager Ozzie Guillen. The current plan is for Widger to catch Monday's opener, a day game after a night game, and give starter A.J. Pierzynski back-to-back days off with the scheduled off-day on Tuesday..

But Guillen plans to use Pierzynski in the same 130 to 140-game range that he has appeared in over the past three seasons.

"Last year we had a big problem because we had to match up people, and not too many people like to throw to [Miguel] Olivo," Guillen said. "Everyone wanted to pitch with Sandy. It was hard for me to make the lineup.

"Right now, A.J. is going to be my catcher and I will get him a day off once or twice per week, depending on how we play," Guillen added.

Down on the farm: Josh Stewart allowed just two hits over 6 1/3 innings, but his bullpen couldn't hold a slim lead during Triple-A Charlotte's 7-2 loss at home to Columbus on Saturday. Stewart struck out five, while Brian Anderson supplied the offense with his second home run in two games. Jamie Burke, playing third base, Jorge Toca and catcher Ben Davis had two hits apiece.

Darren Blakely launched a three-run home run and Josh Fields added two RBIs, but Double-A Birmingham fell by a 10-5 margin to Jacksonville. Corwin Malone took the loss, allowing three runs on two hits in two-thirds of an inning in relief.

Coming soon: Mark Buehrle takes on Johan Santana, the defending American League Cy Young winner, during Sunday night's series finale. Buehrle won his debut with eight shutout innings against Cleveland Monday.