BOSTON – About 10 throws into the Wednesday long-toss session, bullpen coach Juan Nieves whistled to the White Sox dugout and gave the throat slash sign.
Just like that, Jake Peavy’s day was done, and the pitcher’s chances of making his debut for the White Sox this weekend in New York in doubt.
“I know that if he wouldn’t have gotten hit by the ball [in his Monday rehab assignment start] that he would be pitching Saturday [in New York], but him getting hit by the ball in his elbow we’re unable to do anything [Wednesday],” pitching coach Don Cooper said. “So right now, it doesn’t look like he’s going to be making that start. [Thursday] we’ll try again. We’ll try and take it out again. Hopefully, we don’t have to push him back a day for this, but again, each day is going to give us more information and that’s kind of what we got.”
Cooper said that he hadn’t spoken to general manager Ken Williams or manager Ozzie Guillen about it yet, but said in his opinion the organization should play it safe and give Peavy one more rehab start.
“To tell you the truth, sitting here right now, I’m believing, me, and me only, we haven’t discussed it with Ozzie or Kenny, but my opinion, right now the best way to take care of Jake Peavy and do the best for Jake Peavy is to continue to play it by ear, see what he can do [Thursday], make one more start in the minor leagues,” Cooper said. “To me then, we’ve taken care of everything the best you can take care of it. If you want to call it crossing the t’s and dotting the I’s, you can call it that. We’re doing it the right away, we’re not going to dick around with this.”
As far as Guillen was concerned, he seemed willing to let Peavy, Cooper and Williams all get together and make the call. His concern was for the pitchers he currently had on his roster.
“I just talked to [Peavy],” Guillen said. “I think he’s desperate to pitch. I told him obviously we need him and want him and would like to have him on the mound. But like I keep saying day in and day out, we have to be patient and careful what we are doing.”
Guillen did admit that from the short time he’s spoken to Peavy, he likes him. The same could not be said when Guillen would watch him from afar in the dugout in spring training games against San Diego.
“I was upset at him in spring training,” Guillen recalled. “Every pitch he threw he was crying and yelling at people and making noises. It upset me and I started yelling back at him. Now, knowing what kind of person he is, this guy like I say when we got him, there are a lot of fake bulldogs out there and I think this kid is the real one.”
Maybe so, but for now the “real bulldog” is staying leashed up.
