Buehrle’s arm, hand still swollen

 

CHICAGO (AP) -Mark Buehrle’s lower left arm was sore and his hand swollen Saturday, but it didn’t keep the White Sox southpaw from venturing into the cold to play some catch at U.S. Cellular Field.
Buehrle was hit in the left forearm by a line drive off the bat of Cleveland’s Ryan Garko on Thursday, forcing him out of the game in the second inning. X-rays were negative and he was diagnosed with a bruise.
“My hand is a little swollen, so it felt like I was throwing a softball, but other than that, there were no problems,” Buehrle said.
Buehrle, hoping to rebound from a sub-par second half last season that dropped his final record to 12-13 – his only losing mark in seven seasons – wants to make his next start Wednesday in Oakland. It could come down whether trainer Herm Schneider gives the OK.
“If it was my choice I will be (pitching),” Buehrle said. “But obviously Herm makes the final decision. Hes doing everything he can to get me ready. … Herm has been working at it, getting everything out of there, and getting the swelling down as much as he can. It’s definitely feeling pretty good.”
If Buehrle isn’t ready Wednesday, manager Ozzie Guillen could move Javier Vazquez, Saturday’s starter, into the spot on just three days rest, or let reliever Nick Masset have a turn as a starter. But he’s hoping Buehrle will recover in time.
“So far, it’s good news,” Guillen said. “Hermie’s real optimistic about that situation. Hopefully we stay with same rotation have right now.”
The brutal cold and wind that has swept through the middle of the country forced a postponement of Friday’s game with the Twins. Calling that game off allowed the White Sox to move opening day starter Jose Contreras from Sunday to Monday, meaning he will have a week between starts.
And now rookie John Danks will make his major league debut Sunday against Twins ace Johan Santana, who’s won two of the last three AL Cy Young Awards.
Guillen said Danks, who won the No. 5 spot in spring training, is in an enviable position for a young pitcher, facing one of the best lefties in the game.
“It should be a privilege,” Guillen said. “First day in big leagues, and pitch against the Cy Young winner. Lefty-lefty. He might learn something from him.”
The cold, January-like weather has played tricks with the schedule and the game. Playing in Chicago early in the season has always been a test.
“The beginning and end of the season are usually cold, but I don’t know if it has ever been this cold. This is football weather, it isn’t baseball weather,” Buehrle said.
Guillen said the fans were taken into consideration when the game was called off Friday.
“I heard some people say that we called the ball game because we was struggling in the bullpen,” Guillen said. “We wanted to play. First of all, if you’re a fan, I don’t think you’re going to show up and watch. Last night I went to the Bulls game and I walked from the door to the car and almost froze and it only took me one minute.”