Sox Notes: Dunn still healing, feeling feisty

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Thursday, April 7, 2011
Posted: 2:18 p.m.Updated: 3:30 p.m.

By Brett Ballantini
CSNChicago.com

A day after likening his healing powers to that of Wolverine from the X-Men, Adam Dunn was disappointed to still be feeling the effects of the operation to remove his appendix early on Wednesday morning.

I feel about like yesterday, he said. I thought I would be a lot better than what I am, and its very disappointing, actuallyI tried everything last night and today to play and it aint happening.

Teammate Paul Konerko feels for Dunn, who was looking forward to making a splashy debut in Chicago.

I know hes excited to get out here, Konerko said. I know it was a blow to him not to be able to get to this game today, but hes going to be back in a couple of days and itll be like it never happened. Hes swinging the bat well, having good at-batsand when youre doing that as a player at any time of the year, you dont want to come out because you want to run that out as much you can.

Yesterday, Dunn had scoffed at the notion of being out for five days, and even in spite of his Opening Day setback, the affable clouter wasnt budging on that.

My timetable is tomorrow nowI just had to push it back a day. Hopefully tomorrow it will be better. Thats what Im shooting for.

Guillen, who teased with the notion of pinch-hitting Dunn as early as yesterday, clearly had shifted more to Peavy Treatment in terms of rushing the slugger back into the lineup.

I didnt even talk to him, Guillen said. I appreciate when guys want to play for you, but we have to be careful. When you have surgery, no matter how small it is, its still dangerous. We have the people who can replace him for a couple of days. Hopefully when he comes back, hell be fine.

Much has been made of Dunn, a former star quarterback in high school who committed to play for the University of Texas, and his football mentality.

Yeah, hes a tough guy, a big guy, and if he can swing the bat, theres not much else thats going to keep him out, Konerko said. When youre a middle-of-the-order guy, if youre not playing the outfield, if youre playing first or DHing, as long as you can swing the bat, youre going to be in there. But something like this, you have to go on doctors orders.

Dunn was bemused by the notion that football toughness could cause him to get his Roy Hobbs on.

I dont know if its that, he said. Im really disappointed that Im not playing in this game today. I know it probably doesnt mean a lot, its just another game to a lot of people, but home openers are really special, especially when its your first one. I definitely wanted to be out there and its not going to work.

Guillen was also hearing none of it.

I dont like players with a football mentality, he said. When you have a football mentality, you play football. You stay in the game. This guy is tough. He loves to play, thats the main thingNot because hes making the big money, but he wants to be part of the team and be out there.

READ: White Sox DFA Milledge, call up RHP Gray

Guillen mentioned that he has a number of players who never want out. Most notable is ironman Juan Pierre, but there are more.

We have a few people like that, Guillen said. PK got hit in the finger yesterday when he threw the ball, and he stayed in the game and had a big hit for us. Thats the type of player Brent Morel, Gordon Beckham and the Missile Alexei Ramirez have to learn how to handle tough situations from.

While Dunn melds his Will Ferrell personality with Paul Bunyan size, tall tales of his virtue, valor and recuperative abilities started to go too far before Thursdays game.

I can function, he noted. I didnt get my leg chopped off. I can function, its just sore and kind of tough to move around.

Another voice asked whether Dunn would be introduced along with the rest of the team in the traditional Opening Day introductions, which earned a chortle from Dunn: Im still on the team, I think.

Peavy Watch

Everything remains on track for Jake Peavy, whos due to make his next rehabilitation start on Friday vs. AA Albuquerque to throw five innings and 75 pitches.

Everything is going well, pitching coach Don Cooper said. He's pitching on the eighth, 13th, 18th, 23rd, 28ththose are his numbers.

Still, Cooper is adopting more of an Ozzie Guillen approachif I cant see them, I dont careto Peavys comeback.

To tell you the truth, were more preparing for Tampa than worrying about Jake, he said. We're certainly waiting on him. He's got some things he's got to do, and he's doing them.

Nothing is etched in stone, because who knows, something may come up, God forbid. We'll roll with whatever comes our way. Could Peavys White Sox debut be earlier? Could. Could it be later? Could. We just have see how things lay out.

The Carlos Quandary

Carlos Quentin has endured an up-and-down career with the White Sox, which is why even when hes going good, the right-fielders mental state is of utmost concern.

Hes swinging the bat well, Guillen acknowledged. One thing about it: We will protect him and not overplay himHe makes one out and the second at-bat, we see how hes going to react. Hes been fine. Even yesterday when he had the double, I thought he was celebrating and he was kind of mad.

One thing about Carlos, I tell him take one day at a time. Hes the type of guy, from one at-bat to another, we dont know who were going to see. Not because hes bad, but because of the way he is with intensity.

Quentin, batting .500 through his first five games, hasnt let his incendiary start affect his long-term approachwhich in Kansas City he likened as that of a factory worker. He also was quick to acknowledge his teammates after yesterdays thrilling win over the Royals (everybody in our lineup is capable of quality at-bats and carrying the team) rather than claim responsibility for Chicagos bright start.

Still, Qs manager is happy to see one of his spring prognostications off to a swimming start.

Quentins swinging the bat very well, Guillen said. I predicted in Spring Training that Carlos will have a great year this year. Hopefully, he stays healthy.

Brett Ballantini is CSNChicago.coms White Sox Insider. Follow him @CSNChi_Beatnik on Twitter for up-to-the-minute Sox information.

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