Contreras demoted to work on his stuff
After clearing waivers, the White Sox sent veteran right-hander Jose Contreras to the minor leagues to work through struggles with his command, ESPNChicago.com reports.
Sources close to the situation told ESPNChicago.com that Contreras was the one who suggested he be sent to the minors instead of being relegated to the bullpen.
In the meantime, the White Sox have called up left-handed pitcher Jimmy Gobble from Triple-A Charlotte to plug into the bullpen. Left-handed pitcher Clayton Richard will start Tuesday night's game in Cleveland and become the temporary replacement for Contreras.
Contreras had to clear waivers, which meant all 29 teams had 48 hours to claim him and his $8 million-plus contract that remains from his $11 million salary.
In particular, Contreras will work on his split-fingered pitch, which he has not been able to command against left-handed hitters this season.
Ozzie not happy about the White Sox offense -
On a day when a pitcher such as Texas Rangers starter Vicente Padilla has his sinker working, hitters can't expect to do too much. And the White Sox hitters didn't Sunday.
It's when they haven't hit against lesser-caliber pitchers that the team has seen real problems, captain Paul Konerko said.
''You could be swinging well against a guy like today, and it's a tough day,'' he said after Rangers defeated the Sox 7-1. ''But too many days we do it against guys who aren't throwing well.''
The Sox got one hit off Padilla (2-2) through seven innings and two hits for the game. They fell to 2-6 in their last eight games and 2-2 on their homestand.
''A very no-life day. That's what it looked like to me,'' manager Ozzie Guillen said. ''I know when you're struggling it's not easy to get pumped up and smile and enjoy this game. Padilla pitched well, but at the same time, I didn't see any life.''
Today starts a match-up with the Indians.
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