Ozzie And Dunn Discuss Reduced Playing Time
CHICAGO (AP) -- White Sox manager Ozzie Guillen and designated hitter Adam Dunn have spoken about possibly cutting the playing time for the struggling slugger.
Guillen said Dunn, who was out of the lineup for the second straight game against the Twins on Monday night, was receptive to the meeting. Although Guillen said he didn't make a decision yet on how long Dunn will sit, apparently his time will be diminished with the call up of prospect Dayan Viciedo.
"I don't know yet. I talked to him we had a little chat. It went nice. He understood my point, I understood his point," Guillen said. "Obviously I'm going to (play) the guys that swing the bat good but are you going to see him? I can't say no because he will play some day."
Dunn, who has just two home runs since the All-Star Break, watched from the bench as Viciedo hit a three-run home run in Sunday's win at Seattle. On the season, Dunn is hitting .163 with 11 home runs and 40 RBIs.
"Like I said in the past, he's hurt. He doesn't show he's hurt. He's embarrassed. It's very tough for him to go through it," Guillen said.
Viciedo was 2 for 3 in his 2011 debut and hit .297 with 20 home runs and 78 RBIs for Triple-A Charlotte.
Dunn, who leads the AL with 156 strikeouts, signed as a free agent to a four-year contract in December. He will earn $12 million this season, $14 million in 2012 and $15 million each in 2013 and 2014.
(Copyright 2011 by The Associated Press. All Rights Reserved.)
