Hoge's White Sox Notebook: Morel Or Hudson At Third Base?
By Adam Hoge-
U.S. CELLULAR FIELD (CBS) White Sox third baseman Brent Morel is eligible to come off the disabled list Saturday, but that doesn't necessarily mean you'll see him back in Chicago that quick.
For one, the White Sox want to be very careful with his back. Morel is off to a good start on his rehab stint in Charlotte, hitting 4-of-8 in his first two games, but the team remains cautious.
"It's one of those where you just keep tabs on it and make sure he's healthy when he comes off," manager Robin Ventura said Friday. "You don't want to lose him again for another 15 days."
The other issue is that Orlando Hudson has taken over at third base and given the White Sox a spark they didn't have with Morel in the lineup earlier this season. The veteran infielder is only 5-for-27 (.185) in a White Sox uniform, but he's getting on base more than Morel did and his OPS is considerably better (.609 vs .420).
"He's filled in nicely," Ventura said about Hudson. "I don't think average-wise it's unbelievable, but he does a lot things good at the plate. He's working counts, he plays good defense. Energy-wise, he has a very energetic personality so it's nice to have."
The White Sox are 11-1 since Morel was scratched from the lineup May 18 before a game against the Cubs. The team is also 8-1 with Orlando Hudson in the starting lineup. The recent success is due to a lot more than just a change at third base, but there's little question Hudson has been a factor.
Ventura has maintained that Morel won't lose his job to injury, but asked Friday if Morel will be his starting third baseman when he returns, the manager left the door slightly open to a change.
"He could be. We'll get to that when we get there," Ventura said. "I don't expect him to lose it just because he's hurt."
Danks Returning Tuesday?
John Danks threw 20 pitches in a side session Friday, but Robin Ventura didn't have any update on the left-hander because he hadn't yet talked to him.
Danks could come off the disabled list and pitch Tuesday against the Blue Jays, but Ventura just said they would "play it by ear".
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