Joe Crede is off to a great start to the 2008 season for the White Sox. The Sox didn’t know what to expect from Crede this season as he only played in 47 games in 2007 for the White Sox and he was 36 of 167 (.216 avg, .575 OPS) with 13 runs scored, 4 homers and 22 RBIs. A bad back did him in last season plus Josh Fields exploded on the scene while Crede was out. The White Sox tried to trade Crede the whole winter and again in spring training but they just couldn’t find a taker. That was a blessing in disguise for the White Sox as Crede has been excellent both on defense and with a bat in his hands. Crede has played in 65 games for the White Sox this year and he is 62 for 221 (.281 avg, .881 OPS) with 30 runs scored, 14 homers and 41 RBIs. Look for Crede to keep up the good work for the Pale Hose as long as his back doesn’t start barking.

The White Sox have placed starting 1B Paul Konerko on the 15-day disabled list with a Grade 1 strain of his left oblique muscle. This injury will likely only cost Konerko the 15-days as he’s starting to feel a little bit better already. Konerko has played in 62 games this season for the White Sox and he is 49 for 228 (.215 avg, .690 OPS) with 27 runs scored, 8 homers and 30 RBIs. Nick Swisher will be the starting 1B while Konerko is out. Swisher has played in 68 games this season for the White Sox and he is 51 of 233 (.219 avg, .704 OPS) with 38 runs scored, 8 homers and 24 RBIs. Brian Anderson will get the first crack to replace Swisher in CF until Konerko is ready to return and that would help out the defense big time as Swisher isn’t much of a defender in CF. Anderson has played in 44 games this season for the White Sox and he is 23 for 92 (.250 avg, .680 OPS) with 8 runs scored, 2 homers, 10 RBIs and 2 stolen bases. The White Sox have recalled outfielder DeWayne Wise to replace Konerko on the active roster. He has played in 6 games for the White Sox this season and he is 0 for 6 with 1 run scored and 1 stolen base. The White Sox could also elect to let Alexei Ramirez shift to center field with Juan Uribe starting at 2B until Konerko returns to action.

The White Sox have placed reliever/starter Esteban Loaiza on the 15-day disabled list with left shoulder tendinitis. The White Sox almost released Loiaza because he did not keep in shape after the Dodgers got rid of him. But, they decided to give him a short break to get healthy. Loaiza has pitched in 3 games for the White Sox out of the bullpen this season and he is 0-0 with a 3.00 ERA and a 1.00 WHIP. The White Sox have recalled 25-year old righty reliever Adam Russell to replace Loaiza on the roster and in the bullpen. Russell has pitched in 21 games (0 starts) in AAA this season and he was 3-0 with a 1.74 ERA and a 1.13 ERA. Russell has good stuff as he has only allowed 20 hits in 31 innings in AAA ball but he needs to tighten up his control a bit as he walked 15 batters.

The White Sox have been probably keeping a close eye on 27-year old righty swinging Brad Eldred in case something happens to either Paul Konerko or Jim Thome as he is slugging the ball in AAA right now. Eldred has a lot of holes in his swing but when he makes contact the ball goes a long way. He has played in 65 games this season in AAA and he is 63 for 241 (.261 avg, .925 OPS) with 37 runs scored, 21 homers and 58 RBIs. But, he has also whiffed 73 times but you almost have to live with that if you want Eldred to hit his homers. Eldred has 74 games of major league experience and he’s 47 of 236 (.199 avg, .670 OPS) with 26 runs scored, 14 homers and 30 RBIs. Major league pitchers have whiffed him a stunning 93 times in his major league career. It will be interesting to see if the White Sox give Eldred a chance later in the season but he’s blocked at the major league level right now.

When the White Sox traded Jon Garland in the off season it pretty much meant that they were going to have to depend on Jose Contreras, John Danks and Gavin Floyd to handle the #3-#5 spots in the rotation. The thought of that had to turn Manager Ozzie Guillen’s hair gray. But, something has changed and all three of these guys have been pitching like All Stars and they are big reason for why the White Sox are in first place. Jose Contreras was awful last season but he has been really good in 2008. He seems to have got some velocity added to his fastball and he has fixed some control issues. He has now started 13 games this season and he is 6-4 with a 3.18 ERA and a 1.13 WHIP. Lefty John Danks had a rough rookie season in 2007 but you could see that he had a lot of potential. This season the potential is turning into results and it’s making the White Sox smile. Danks has started 13 games this season and he is 4-4 with a 3.13 ERA and a 1.27 WHIP. Gavin Floyd was once one of the highest ranked prospects in the game when he was with the Phillies but he never could make the jump to being a successful pitcher in the majors…..until now. Floyd might be the best of this bunch as he has been locating his pitches very well. He has started 12 games this season and he is 7-3 with a 3.10 ERA and a 1.07 WHIP. GM Kenny Williams has to be ecstatic about these three guys but the signing of Esteban Loaiza recently hedges his bet against a breakdown by one of them.