July 2012 - Chicago White Sox Wiretap

It is "possible" that the Rangers could trade Roy Oswalt before Friday's deadline.

The Dodgers, Nationals and White Sox have been linked to Oswalt as they seek pitching for the stretch run.

Chicago may be an unlikely destination as a source indicated that Texas doesn't want to trade Oswalt to an American League club.

"I don't have any say-so," said Oswalt, who confirmed that he has cleared waivers. "If they trade me, I would have to go. I'm just going to do what they tell me to do."

White Sox television announcer Ken "Hawk" Harrelson went on a rant about home-plate umpire Lance Barrett on Saturday.

Harrelson sounded off after Barrett ejected Chicago catcher A.J. Pierzynski and manager Robin Ventura for arguing the strike zone.

"I'll tell you this is absolutely ridiculous," the announcer said on the broadcast. "This is absolutely ridiculous."

"Lance Barrett has just stunk the joint up is all he's done. That's all he's done."

Harrelson was reprimanded by commissioner Bud Selig earlier in the season when he voiced his displeasure on air with home-plate umpire Mark Wegner on May 30.

Brett Myers has a $10 million vesting option for the 2013 season that triggers if he finishes 45 games.

Myers closed out Thursday's win over the Yankees, but the White Sox won't shy away from using him just because of the potential financial commitment. He has finished just seven games for Chicago, but 36 for the season including the time he spent with Houston.

"We are bringing Brett in when we need him to come in," pitching coach Don Cooper said. "I really haven't spoken about that to anybody. I'm glad we got him, and he'll pitch when we feel he needs to pitch, regardless of what else is going on with contracts."

In 18 appearances with the White Sox, Myers has a 2.93 ERA and four holds.

The fan who retrieved Adam Dunn's 400th career home run from the Kauffman Stadium fountains on Saturday night was arrested and stripped of the ball.

He was apprehended once he emerged from the waters in Kansas City's left field.

It's official policy that any fan that enters the fountain will immediately be arrested.

Adam Dunn hit the 400th home run of his career in Chicago's loss to Kansas City on Saturday night.

It was Dunn's 35th home run of the season, the most in the Major Leagues.

Dunn is one of 11 active players with 400 homers and No. 50 to reach the mark overall.

A fan attending Thursday's Blue Jays' game against the White Sox passed away at a local hospital after collapsing during the game at the Rogers Centre.

A noticeable commotion began during the bottom of the seventh inning in the stands near third base.

Kevin Youkilis was amongst the players calling attention to the situation in order for the game to be paused.

"It was not a good sight. It was bad," he said. "I could see the guy pumping on him, doing something where I just knew it was happening too long. I said something to Mark (Wegner, the third-base umpire) and finally I was like 'We've got to stop this thing.'"

Adam Dunn hit a pair of home runs on Monday night, giving him the American League lead in the category this season. Dunn has hit 33 home runs. He has just 84 hits this season, giving him a percentage of hits going for home runs of 39.29. That rate is the highest in the Majors this season and would qualify for the fifth-highest of all-time. Barry Bonds had a percentage of 46.79 in 2001.

Paul Konerko will begin physical activities on Tuesday after undergoing a concussion evaluation the day before. Konerko caught an elbow in the head from Jarrod Dyson as the Royals center fielder was crossing first base on Aug. 8. The White Sox placed Konerko on the seven-day disabled list on Friday. "Yeah, he was checked out today, everything's looking good," Robin Ventura said. "Tomorrow, he'll probably start riding a bike and doing physical stuff. "I don't know if he's going to do a whole lot of baseball stuff. But he will start to get some activity in to see how that goes, and we'll move on from there. But things are progressing. I would imagine once he starts doing baseball stuff, they're going to check him after that and make sure that stuff goes away. But for right now, slow stuff, most of it was just to rest. That was the key to (the last) four days."

Paul Konerko will not travel with the White Sox on their road trip to Toronto because of a concussion. Chicago placed the first baseman on the seven-day concussion disabled list on Friday. "He has a little of everything," manager Robin Ventura said. "It is not just headaches; he doesn't look right and doesn't move around too well. He said it has gotten better over the past few days." Konerko will have a complete concussion examination at Rush Hospital on Monday.

The White Sox are in first place despite low expectations entering the season, but the good feeling surrounding the team may not last long. A number of key players could leave the team this winter. Jake Peavy has a team option in his contract worth $22 million. A.J. Pierzynski and Francisco Liriano will both be coveted free agents. Gavin Floyd, Kevin Youkilis and Brett Myers all have expensive team options worth at least $9.5 million.