Juan Uribe remained on the White Sox roster Thursday, but Alexei Ramirez’s status appears more secure.
“Is he on the roster? Yes,” manager Ozzie Guillen said of Ramirez, 26, who has impressed the Sox in his first major-league camp since leaving Cuba. “The thing is: How many games can he play? We’re going to sit down and see how many at-bats he can get. Whether it’s at second base, not second base, everything is about playing time.
“I don’t care if this kid sits for 10 days — if he’s going to help us win. Development? I’m not going to develop my players for someone else. I learned my lesson [in Florida].”
Guillen said he spoke Wednesday with Uribe to clarify his status. He has been placed on waivers, possibly so the club can gauge trade interest in him.
“I explained to him the difference of being released and being put on waivers,” Guillen said. “That’s all I can do for him. Juan is a different guy. He’s nervous and gets kind of worried about it. I told him, ‘You’re in the lineup [Thursday], and that’s all I can tell you.'”
Uribe’s status could be clarified as soon as Friday. The Sox could keep him if no team claims him and his $4.5 million salary.
“I should have an idea when we go back to Tucson [Saturday night] what type of ballclub we’re going to have,” said Guillen, who said he received a text message from general manager Ken Williams that Uribe is not being released.
The Sox will open the season with Danny Richar on the 15-day disabled list. Richar, who started at second for the final two months of 2007, has a stress fracture of the first left rib and will be out four to six weeks.
Richar was a long shot to make the roster because he has had a back ailment and he reported late after experiencing visa problems in leaving the Dominican Republic.
Guillen said the Opening Day roster was set in his mind, with the exception of the last spot in the bullpen between Nick Masset and Ehren Wassermann, who could have the lead.
“I think the [last] guy should be my best guy,” Guillen said. “Why have a long man when he’s [messed] up? I would rather have one guy pitch one good inning than a guy that gets beat up for three.”
Masset allowed six runs on six hits in three innings against Colorado and is out of options, so he would have to clear waivers for the Sox to keep him if he doesn’t make the 25-man roster.
A recent bout with the flu has hindered Carlos Quentin’s chances. That, and his .227 average, have allowed Brian Anderson to solidify his standing for the backup outfield spot with a .353 average and superb defense.
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mgonzales@tribune.com
