Don’t be surprised if Frank Thomas is the designated hitter for the White Sox in Tuesday night’s playoff opener.
Manager Gene Lamont says he won’t make a decision until Tuesday, but he already has told Thomas to be prepared to DH.
“It doesn’t matter as long as I’m in the lineup,” said Thomas. “I feel I can play first base, but Gene told me the first couple of games I may not play (first base).”
Thomas has been bothered by a badly bruised and swollen left arm since Sept. 19. He hurt it crashing into a fence post chasing a foul ball in Oakland.
The injury kept Thomas out of the lineup from the eighth inning of last Monday’s division-clinching game against Seattle until Sunday, when he took batting practice and was the designated hitter for the regular-season finale.
Using Thomas at DH would solve a couple of problems for Lamont.
Regular designated hitter George Bell is hitless in his last 26 at-bats and had just two hits in 31 at-bats against the Blue Jays this season.
The usual backup, Bo Jackson, is 7 for his last 18, but is just 1 for 21 against the Blue Jays this season. And he is 0 for 3 with three strikeouts against Tuesday night’s scheduled starter, Juan Guzman.
If Thomas starts at DH, Dan Pasqua would play first base. He is better than Thomas on defense and is 4 for 14 against the Jays, 1 for 4 against Guzman.
