Williams Hopes Peavy Will Be Ready, Healthy
Jake Peavy is determined to do everything it takes to be ready and healthy for the White Sox this season. While being examined by doctors, general manager Kenny Williams was at Peavy's side to make sure things were looking good.
General manager Kenny Williams wanted to see for himself when Jake Peavy went for his physical Thursday, so he stood right next to the team doctors and the one-time Cy Young Award winner in the examining room.
Peavy's health and recovery after surgery for a rare injury, a detached muscle in the back of his right shoulder, is a crucial component for a White Sox team that went out in the offseason and added Adam Dunn while also re-signing Paul Konerko.
Peavy's rehab and throwing program has progressed well - he was able to throw without any problems with the rest of the projected starting staff during Thursday's first workout - but it's still too early to tell if he will be ready for the beginning of the season.
"He sent me so many messages and he told me what to expect so I guess I started to believe it. He's about right where everybody else is and that's what he said. But in my mind there is still the time the body takes to heal," Williams said.
"So that's what I'm concerned with. Believe me, in his physical this morning, you can ask (trainer) Herm Schneider and you can ask Jake, I was standing right next to him. He and the four doctors that were examining him. I have a little bit more medical knowledge than I had before the day started."
If Peavy can't go, it won't be talented left-hander Chris Sale, the team's first-round pick in 2010, taking his spot in the rotation. The White Sox decided they'd leave the hard-throwing 22-year-old in the bullpen where he was 2-1 with a 1.93 ERA in 21 relief appearances last season. Sale, however, will start games in the spring.
Phil Humber, another offseason acquisition, could fill in if Peavy is not ready. Lucas Harrell, Jeff Gray and Charlie Leesman are other candidates.
Peavy, 10-6 in his injury-filled season and a half with the White Sox, vowed to do everything he could to be ready but also said he would be smart with his comeback. He had an MRI on Friday that was read by noted specialist Dr. James Andrews that showed no problems other than normal wear and tear.
"We're coming off a major injury and a lot of uncharted waters. If I feel anything or have any setbacks, I'll be honest with them," Peavy said. "As of now we're going ahead. I feel healthy and feel like I'm one of the guys."
With the addition of Dunn's power bat and two strong arms in the bullpen in Jesse Crain and Will Ohman, the White Sox are labeling their approach this season as "All In."
That would mean no more frosty relationship between Williams and manger Ozzie Guillen, who were at odds at times last year before patching up their relationship. The team picked up Guillen's contract option for 2012 during the winter convention.
"Ozzie and I have known each other since 1985 and had a great relationship until last year and it was not fractured by anything other than something from the periphery," Williams said. Guillen's son, Oney, left the organization after Twitter postings that were critical of the front office.
Guillen said he's also looking forward to a season free of outside distractions and one that centers on the game.
"It's starting to be the way it was and I hope it stays that way," he said. "Is there going to be drama?" Guillen asked. "If they don't play good, there's going to be. The expectations in Chicago are very, very high."
Here's why.
Not only did the White Sox sign Dunn to a four-year, $56 million contract and re-sign Konerko to a three-year, $37.5 million deal, they gave shortstop Alexei Ramirez a new contract and brought back veteran catcher A.J. Pierzynski.
With Ohman and Crain joining the bullpen, Matt Thornton is the probable closer after the departure of Bobby Jenks.
"We first signed Dunn and didn't have Paul signed back, I don't think I was as excited," veteran pitcher Mark Buehrle said. "But once we got Konerko back, I think those two guys fit well together in that lineup."
Buehrle, who has pitched at least 200 innings for 10 straight seasons, is in the final year of his contract. He's not sure what will happen - if he would go elsewhere or retire if he didn't rejoin the White Sox - but was glad Chicago didn't go into a rebuilding mode with younger players.
"Next year might not be here for me," he said.
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