Eric King threw Monday afternoon for the first time in the almost two weeks since tests revealed no damage to his right shoulder. The 10-minute session with pitching coach Sammy Ellis is the first step in what might be a lengthy rehabilitation. The Sox don`t know when King will rejoin them, but few expect him back before Sept. 1. He`s been out since Aug. 1.
King isn`t sure what to expect, but he`s frustrated. ”What I`m just looking for is to finish the year without any pain,” King said. ”(Then) look into this and get some second opinions. I`m getting tired of it. I`m sure they are, too.”
King will play catch for the next several days, and then he will try to throw from a mound. If he succeeds, he`ll probably be sent to the minors for rehabilitation.
A year ago King missed more than a month with a sore shoulder, then went 5-2 the rest of the season. The Sox hope he`ll show the same sort of recovery this year.
”If he comes back Sept. 1 or Sept. 5, that still gives us five starts,” Ellis said. ”That would be a big kick for us down the stretch.”
Staying focused: Melido Perez said his concentration might account for his inconsistency. After Saturday`s loss to Texas, he`s 10-10 with a 4.25 earned- run average.
Only Steve Lyons has a higher ERA, and his is only .25 higher.
”I don`t have any problem with my arm,” Perez said. ”Sometimes, my concentration is not so good.”
Manager Jeff Torborg said he would not consider moving Perez to the bullpen for now.
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Perez has been up and down before. In fact, he`s a lifetime 34-35 in 2 1/ 2 big-league seasons.
Take the day off: Torborg rested Robin Ventura, who he said was still battling a flu bug and a slightly sore shoulder.
New man on the mound: Wayne Edwards has replaced Adam Peterson in the rotation, at least for now. Edwards will start in the double-header Friday night in Texas. Both pitchers were in the bullpen on Monday night. Edwards won his first big-league start Friday night. ”It really doesn`t matter to me whether I start or relieve,” Edwards said. ”Whatever way I can help the team, I`ll do it. I know that`s a cliche, but that`s how I feel.”
Beating the shift: The Sox put a massive shift on against Toronto slugger Fred McGriff, who`s hitting .290 and is fifth in the league in home runs with 26.
The Sox played Ozzie Guillen well to the right of second base and moved third baseman Craig Grebeck to the shortstop position. Second baseman Scott Fletcher was on the outfield grass and first baseman Frank Thomas hugged the line.
McGriff doubled into the gap in left-center field in his first trip. And in his second at-bat he lined a single over Fletcher`s head.