Speedy Recovery...Speedy Departure

Story Line: Jose Contreras drops his fifth decision in six tries, as the Chicago White Sox lose the first of a three game set with the Texas Rangers 6-0. Contreras' ERA exploded to a team high 8.19, among starters.

Aftershock: In Guillen's office following the game, Contreras was relieved of his starting duties. Contreras' next start was slated for this upcoming Wednesday in Cleveland. No replacement has been named as of yet. All signs and speculation point to D.J. Carassco.

Silent Bats: The Sox struggled at the plate again, allowing southpaw Matt Harrison to register his third victory of the season; the second in seven days against the White Sox. The Sox did not advance past second base all evening, drew only one walk and struck out five times.

Speaking of Contreras: "We've tried different things," catcher A.J. Pierzinski said "We've tried a million things. We've tried to attack guys this way, attack guys that way and nothing seems to work right now. You feel so bad because Jose is such a great guy and you really want him to succeed and do very well and you just don't know what to do anymore."

What I Think: I mean, come on... what did we expect? Contreras is aging, tired and his rehab turnover was anything short of miraculous. This guy wasn't expected to be on the mound until July-August. Now it looks as though his speedy recovery hurt more than that rupture Achilles. We know what Contreras can't do, now let's see what somebody else can.

Up Next: Saturday, Rangers (16-13) at White Sox (13-15) 6:05 PM WGN, 670 WSCR. Kevin Millwood (3-2) and John Danks (2-2)

All in the Family

Twenty games into the 2009 season, one glowing concern for the Sox has been sub par middle relief pitching. Jack Egbert (27.00) proved as efficient as his predecessor and the Lance Broadway experiment is awaiting. Clayton Richard is still a question mark with an ERA just under 5, while D.J. Carrasco is pitching a modest 3.48. So where does Don Cooper and manager Ozzie Guillen go from here? For Guillen it may be as easy as climbing his family tree.
Sun-Times Sox beat reporter Joe Cowley hinted in a recent post that former Southsider Freddy Garcia again has the interest of Guillen. Garcia was recently let go by the New York Mets and now is in search for a job. Garcia has only 14 starts to his credit since leaving the Sox in 2006. Of those starts, Freddy is 2-6. In 2005, Garcia was 14-8, with 228 innings pitched. Freddy tossed three complete games during the Sox World Series championship season; one of which was hurled during the ALCS. So what can an injury prone, 32 year-old bring back to the Sox? To speculate- much needed middle relief. It's not a role Freddy Garcia is accustomed to, but it is a role that Don Cooper can custom mold for the aging Garcia. In addition, if there is any hope for Garcia's future, Ozzie Guillen will find it. "I need to talk to him [Wednesday], see where he is, if he's hurt, how he's doing,'' White Sox manager Ozzie Guillen admitted. "I guess [general manager] Kenny [Williams] and the scouts know more than I do. I have to ask them and see how he's doing. I know he will find a job and hopefully he pitches better for the next team, I don't want to say us yet because I don't know anything about it.''