Good piece. Thanks for rubbing one out, Wiz. ;)

OCab seems to be the catalyst behind a lot of the “fun” going on these days (e.g. dugout celebrations). If he is dealt this year, do you suppose it would put a damper on any of the camaraderie?

The rotation had a solid week, holding opponents to .239/.289/.408, but the bullpen did their best to ruin those efforts, because the opposition pushed them around (.292/.391/.458). This essentially wasted not only a good showing from the starters, but also one from the offense (.281/.375/.490), which explains their .500 record since the All-Star break. The pen will need to curb their wastefulness this next week, with a series against the Tigers and a four-game set with the Twins coming up right afterward.

http://www.baseballprospectus.com/article.php?articleid=7855

The Twins have discussed promoting left-hander Francisco Liriano - the former All-Star - from Class AA, and using him out of the bullpen.

book it

Uribe has batted up well since he covered for him

The player at Class AAA Charlotte who most impressed Paul Konerko when he was completing his rehab assignment there a few weeks ago was infielder Chris Getz. Getz entered Thursday hitting .304 with eight home runs and has played his way into being a likely September call-up.

and they’re saying:

1) Crede is probably going to the DL

2) Kenny is about to trade OCab.

I haven’t heard any hard evidence though.

FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE: Friday, July 25, 2008

WHITE SOX MAKE THREE ROSTER MOVES

CHICAGO – Prior to tonight’s game at Detroit, the Chicago White Sox placed third baseman Joe Crede on the 15-day disabled list (retroactive to July 22) with back lumbar inflammation and recalled third baseman Josh Fields from Class AAA Charlotte.

Crede, 30, is hitting .255 (79-310) with 17 home runs and 54 RBI in 90 games with the White Sox this season.  He ranks third among all American League third basemen in home runs, fourth in slugging percentage (.474) and fifth in RBI.

The 6-foot-2, 230-pounder was named to his first AL All-Star Team in 2008, becoming the first Sox third baseman to participate in the Midsummer Classic since Robin Ventura in 1991.

Crede appeared in just 47 games last season after undergoing season-ending back surgery on June 12, 2007.

Fields, 25, was batting .248 (55-222) with 12 doubles, nine home runs and 30 RBI in 59 games with Charlotte this season. He also appeared in four games with Class A Winston-Salem during a rehab assignment for a strained right knee from July 4-7 (.333, 3-9).

The 6-foot-1, 220-pounder hit .244 (91-373) with 23 home runs and 67 RBI in 100 games with the White Sox in 2007. Fields’ 23 home runs lead all AL rookies last season and tied Bill Melton (1969) for third in franchise history among first-year players.

The White Sox also returned right-handed pitcher Esteban Loaiza from his rehabilitation assignment at Class AA Birmingham, activated him from the disabled list and requested waivers for purposes of granting his unconditional release.

Loaiza, 36, went 0-0 with a 3.00 ERA (1 ER/3.0 IP) in three relief appearances with the Sox in 2008. He was placed on the disabled list on June 13 (retroactive to June 12) with a right shoulder inflammation.

The White Sox 40-man roster is now at 39.

Just got back from the pool, now I’m going to the dark knight.

Joe Crede to DL; Josh Fields called up
Mark Gonzales, 2:50 p.m.

Joe Crede will be placed on the 15-day disabled list because of back stiffness, and Josh Fields will be called up and start Friday night at third base and bat eighth.

Crede was placed on the DL retroactive to July 22. He is hitting .255 with 17 home runs and 54 RBIs this season.

Fields is hitting .248 with 12 doubles, nine home runs and 30 RBI in 59 games with Charlotte this season. He also appeared in four games with Class A Winston-Salem during a July 4-7 rehab assignment for a strained right knee. He hit .244 with 23 home runs and 67 RBIs in 100 games with the Sox last season.

The Sox also returned pitcher Esteban Loaiza from his rehabilitation assignment at Double-A Birmingham, activating him from the disabled list and requesting waivers for purposes of granting his unconditional release.

Friday’s lineups:

SOX
Cabrera ss
Pierzynski c
Quentin lf
Dye rf
Thome dh
Konerko 1b
Swisher cf
Fields 3b
Ramirez 2b
Floyd p

DETROIT
Granderson cf
Polanco 2b
Guillen 3b
Ordonez rf
Cabrera 1b
Joyce lf
Sheffield dh
Rodriguez c
Renteria ss
Robertson p

I see he’s starting tonight, that’s a good sign.