Sale to Sox's bullpen; Peavy feels 'normal'

Jake Peavy throws from a mound Thursday in front of Sox manager Ozzie Guillen and GM Ken Williams. (Mark Gonzales/Tribune)

By Mark Gonzales

PHOENIX -- The Chicago White Sox officially decided Thursday to move prized left-hander Chris Sale to the bullpen before watching Jake Peavy throw for the first time in front of team officials since suffering a detached latissimus dorsi muscle last July.

"Chris Sale is going to be in the bullpen," general manager Ken Williams said after the Sox's first workout for pitchers and catchers at Camelback Ranch. "This is very important because I had to explain this to my coaching staff as well: The reason we had Chris Sale prepare as a starter is because that's what he has done his whole life. So if you now tell him to prepare differently, might you not see the guy you last saw in September.

"We want him to prepare as he did so we can expect the same guy to show up. That means using all of his pitches and building him up as starter. He has shown he can transfer that to relief role."
The Sox won't need a fifth starter until April 10, and that seemed like a longshot for Peavy, who threw with ease during his bullpen session. The Sox will look at a cast of candidates for the fifth spot that includes Phil Humber, Lucas Harrell, Jeff Gray and Charlie Leesman until Peavy is ready.

Peavy, meanwhile, described his bullpen session as "just what I expected, because I've been on the mound before. Just nice and easy. Nothing too much. Just a good side session. Fastball, changeup, and the location was good. Just climbing like the other guys are.

"Just like I said, if anyone was out there, it wasn't any different than anyone else's. It was just nice and easy foundation."

But even Peavy, who has relentlessly sent text messages to Williams about his progress, lent some caution.

"If I feel anything or have any setback, I'll be honest with them and honest with you guys," Peavy said. "As of now, We're going ahead and feel like I'm one of the guys."

As for the candidates for the closer's role, "I think it's a great scenario if Matt Thornton is the guy because of what he has been doing for the White Sox," manager Ozzie Guillen said. "Sale has great stuff to be the closer. A couple of guys out there have closed before. Right now, it's too early for me to say whether this guy is going to be the closer or not."

Source: http://www.chicagobreakingsports.com/2011/02/sale-to-soxs-pen-peavy-feels-normal.html

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