CHICAGO -- Ozzie Guillen and the White Sox just might get a slightly unexpected boost Tuesday, when they open a three-game series against Tampa Bay at U.S. Cellular Field.
Although Guillen said after Sunday's 6-1 victory over Minnesota that he didn't expect designated hitter Jim Thome to return Tuesday from a strained left hamstring suffered on Aug. 21 in Detroit, Monday's workout indicated Thome could be ready for action. A steady downpour of rain kept Thome's preparation indoors at U.S. Cellular Field, but the White Sox slugger still managed to hit in the cages and run on the indoor track.
White Sox athletic trainer Herm Schneider, through a White Sox media relations representative, said that Thome looked good and felt good during the session. Although nothing was guaranteed for Tuesday, Thome's four-game absence looks like it will come to an end against Devil Rays southpaw Casey Fossum.
Thome originally injured himself running out a second-inning, ground-rule double on Aug. 23 at Comerica Park. Ross Gload replaced Thome and finished a very respectable 7-for-18 in his absence. Gload started at first base during all three games this past weekend against the Twins, with Paul Konerko serving as the designated hitter. Gload could get increased outfield playing time during the final five weeks after his stellar effort.
"If [Scott Podsednik] struggles, we try to play Gload in left field," said Guillen, prior to Sunday's victory. "Pods is swinging the bat better the last couple of days.
"But I think Ross is special. This kid comes off the bench out of nowhere and gives you great at-bats. We think about it. Right now, we have him playing every day. We will see how the lineup goes, watch the matchups, and I [will] try to get him more at-bats."
Over 57 games and 107 at-bats this season, Gload is hitting .308 with two home runs and 13 RBIs. Thome has a .294 average with 36 home runs, 94 runs scored, 91 RBIs and 81 walks in 105 games.
Scott Merkin is a reporter for MLB.com. This story was not subject to the approval of Major League Baseball or its clubs.
