TUCSON, Ariz. — Relief pitcher Dustin Hermanson will test his troublesome back today, and starter Jose Contreras will see how his sore right triceps feels on Saturday.
But in regard to another question on the injury front Thursday, the White Sox got a decidedly positive answer on Scott Podsednik.
Out since March 6 with a sore left shoulder, Podsednik returned to the lineup against the Texas Rangers and went 3-for-4 with a triple, 2 runs scored and 1 RBI.
“I feel really comfortable at the plate, and more important, the shoulder is feeling very comfortable,” Podsednik said. “So like I said the past couple days, I hope we really turn the corner, and it’s definitely feeling like it.”
After having hernia surgery in late November, Podsednik’s lower body was a major concern when he reported to spring training.
But after overdoing it with his upper body early in camp, Podsednik’s shoulder sent him to the trainer’s room.
“The legs feel great,” Podsednik said. “I’m pretty much playing completely pain free, and that’s what I’m most happy about, my health at this point. The timing and comfort will come at the plate. But most important, my health is feeling good. I’m surprised with how comfortable I feel this early.”
Back on top: After batting lower in the order for most of spring training, it looks like Tadahito Iguchi is returning to the No. 2 spot, where he hit last season.
“If Iguchi starts (hitting) second on Opening Day, he will be batting second the rest of the year,” said White Sox manager Ozzie Guillen.
Batting lower in the order this spring, Iguchi never looked comfortable, and his average is just .136.
Juan Uribe has been batting second in the Cactus League, but he’ll drop back down to No. 7 or 8.
Guillen would prefer leaving Iguchi at No. 2.
“I don’t want to move this kid from two, seven … two, eighth,” Guillen said. “Because all of a sudden, they’re going to have an excuse when they fail.”
Shape up: At 6-feet-3, 270 pounds, Bobby Jenks is a big man.
But the White Sox’ closer has struggled for much of the spring, and manager Ozzie Guillen thinks he knows why.
“The problem with Bobby is he just came in out of shape,” Guillen said. “To use spring training to get in shape, you know you’ve got to take care of yourself. Nobody right now in baseball has the excuse to show up in spring training out of shape. I criticize spring training because the players show up in shape, and sometimes it’s too long. But there’s no excuse for anyone in baseball, period, to show up not in shape. No excuse.”