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Pedro Martinez not in White Sox' plans

May 6, 2009
BY JOE COWLEY jcowley@suntimes.com

KANSAS CITY, Mo. -- Barry Bonds was crossed off the list last week. Asked about a possible replacement for Jim Thome if the White Sox slugger's heel injury was more serious than first believed, general manager Ken Williams responded via e-mail with one word: ''No.''

On Tuesday, manager Ozzie Guillen all but ruled out Pedro Martinez as a possibility if Jose Contreras has to be pulled from the starting rotation.

''Pedro Martinez was mentioned in spring training, but just because a couple of his friends called me, and my job is to give Kenny the information,'' Guillen said. ''But that's it. No Pedro, not right now. That's Kenny's decision, but right now that's not on my mind.''

Guillen has few other scenarios on his mind as all the hype during spring training about depth in the starting rotation has quieted quickly.

Clayton Richard has been inconsistent out of the bullpen, Jeff Marquez has been awful at Class AAA Charlotte and top prospect Aaron Poreda still is learning on the job with Class AA Birmingham, despite a five-inning, rain-shortened no-hitter Monday.

''Plan B would be Jose,'' Guillen said. ''Richard threw the ball better [Monday], but he hasn't impressed me enough to be the guy. Maybe in the future, yes, but right now we're still fighting for the pennant race.

''Right now, I don't have the right answer. A couple people have dropped a couple of names, but I don't think those names fit the best. If we have to make a move, I will do it. Will it be Richard? I don't know yet.''

As for Poreda, Guillen thinks it's too early for the young lefty.

''Poreda, he's not ready,'' Guillen said. ''I don't think we're doing a favor for him or the ballclub to bring him up. We have to take it easy with that guy. That's our future.''

Charlotte bound?

Guillen said outfielder Brian Anderson (strained right oblique) is on schedule to return from the 15-day disabled list on time but likely will have a short rehab stint in Charlotte to get a few at-bats.

When Anderson is ready to return, the Sox likely will have to choose between Brent Lillibridge or Jayson Nix, and Nix is the favorite.

''[Nix has] had great at-bats,'' Guillen said. ''Every at-bat he's had so far, even if he failed, he fought for it. He's seen some pretty good pitching, but I don't know yet. I have to see when Brian comes back what exactly we need at that particular time. What's more important is what we need at that time.''

Nice returns

Josh Fields and Jermaine Dye were back in the lineup Tuesday after both got plunked on the hand over the weekend in Texas. Each homered in his second at-bat.