No worries for Podsednik

[RME JICO]

http://chicago.whitesox.mlb.com/NASApp/mlb...t=.jsp&c_id=cws

 

Notes: No worries for Podsednik

 

By Scott Merkin / MLB.com

 

KANSAS CITY -- Mired in an 0-for-13 slump, left-handed-hitting Scott Podsednik was replaced in the starting lineup on Friday by right-handed-hitting Pablo Ozuna against Kansas City southpaw Jeremy Affeldt in the first of a three-game set at Kauffman Stadium.

 

But do 13 at-bats without a hit really make a slump, especially since those at-bats cover just the first three games of the 2006 regular season? In the minds of Podsednik and hitting coach Greg Walker, there are absolutely no worries when it comes to the fleet-footed leadoff man's slow start.

 

"I'm not really overly concerned," said Podsednik, who has one RBI and one walk to show for his early work on offense. "Obviously, you want to start hot, but the fact of the matter is, I'm starting out 0-for-12 or 0-for-13, whatever. I have to put that behind me, and the next time I'm in there, start trying to get myself on base."

 

"You don't want to let the first game or two put you in a panic mode, and I don't think he's there," added Walker. "He's fighting it a little bit right now, but it's not bad. One good game, and he's off and running."

 

Ozzie Guillen stated after Wednesday's loss that the only way for Podsednik to pick up a few hits was to keep going out there in the starting lineup. The White Sox manager changed his mind on Friday, opting instead to get Ozuna a few at-bats to keep him sharp off the bench.

 

Because of a sore left shoulder and slightly strained left groin, Podsednik's work was limited to 22 at-bats during Spring Training. But he does not believe that a lack of trips to the plate in March is costing him in April, not when he was swinging the bat so well at the end of Cactus League action.

 

Maybe a change in venue will help kick-start Podsednik's game. As Walker pointed out, U.S. Cellular Field's classification as a hitter's park doesn't always ring true when the weather is cold and windy in April. Podsednik had a possible home run knocked down in the first inning on Wednesday against Cleveland's Cliff Lee.

 

"He hit a couple of balls hard and hasn't got anything for it," said Walker. "So, then, what do you do? 'You've got to get a hit. You've got to get a hit.' That's no way to play the game. I think he's fine, though, I really do.

 

"You can't try to get four hits in one at-bat, either. If you get one hit, go for two. If you get two, go for three. That's how you have to approach it. To look for the magic potion, it doesn't work like that."

 

Walker added that Podsednik also can use his legs to pick up a few hits via a bunt, a sure-fire way to get pointed in the right direction. Whatever the method, Podsednik would like to become a little more offensive starting Saturday.

 

"I haven't put the good part of the bat on the ball," said Podsednik. "It's as simple as that. I'm not trying to look at anything deeper."

 

"As long as he's healthy, I'm not worried about him at all," added Walker.

 

Waiting game: If this three-game series against the Royals was taking place in September, during a drive for the postseason, Jermaine Dye would have been in the starting lineup and out in right field. But Dye could end up missing the entire weekend series with a knot in his left calf, playing it safe now rather than being sorry later in the season.

 

"It's still sore a little bit," said Dye. "I went out there and did some running [pregame], but I still felt it grab a little bit. [Third-base coach] Joey [Cora] came out there with me and just told me, 'Don't do anything stupid.'

 

"I'll probably give it another day or so. I'll see how I feel every day."

 

Rob Mackowiak earned the start in right field on Friday, with Ozuna already in the lineup in left. Dye said that he first felt the knot prior to Wednesday's series finale against Cleveland, a pain that transformed into a feeling like something released inside and tightened up once he was on the field. He left Wednesday's game after just one inning of play.

 

"It was just there. It was weird," he said. "We didn't want to try anything stupid the third game of the season."

 

Calm after the storm: There were no pregame ceremonies honoring the White Sox on Friday in Kansas City, and the crush of media in Chicago had been reduced to a handful of reporters and just one television camera. The change of pace was fine with Guillen, although he certainly wasn't complaining about celebrating the 2005 World Series win during the first three games at home.

 

"That happens when you're the world champs," said Guillen of the hoopla surrounding the presentations of the World Series banner, rings and trophy. "When you're the world champs, a lot of people know you. You finish last, no one cares about you.

 

"It's the price you pay. I think it was great for the fans and everyone, but now it's time to play baseball, especially for me. I've got more space with the media. But hopefully, we'll have another homestand like that next year."

 

Down on the farm: Tim Redding struck out seven over six scoreless innings, and Josh Fields added two hits during Triple-A Charlotte's 1-0 victory over Toledo in the season opener on Thursday. Javier Lopez earned the save with two strikeouts. ... Donny Lucy homered, doubled and drove in three during Class A Winston-Salem's 4-3 victory over Kinston. Anderson Gomes added two hits. ... Robert Valido had two hits and Ray Liotta allowed one run over five innings during Double-A Birmingham's 6-3 loss to West Tennessee.

 

Up next: Javier Vazquez makes his regular-season White Sox debut on Saturday afternoon, facing off against the Royals and starter Denny Bautista.

 

I hope Pods gets back into the lineup today, and I guess we will not see JD for the entire KC series.

Edited April 8, 2006 by RME JICO