Jayson Nix went 2-for-4 with three RBIs Monday night in his first game on a minor league rehabilitation assignment for Double-A Birmingham.
But just as eye-raising is that Nix made his return at shortstop, with 2008 first-round pick Gordon Beckham moving to second base.
Nix is likely to have his 20-day assignment switched to Triple-A Charlotte soon, with the likelihood that he will move back to his natural position at second and Beckham returning to shortstop for the Barons.
Nix is playing for the first time since March 17, when he aggravated his right quadriceps strain while running out a double in an exhibition game.
Nix made his second start at short Tuesday night against Jacksonville.
White House trip moving: Rookie Clayton Richard was grateful that he and his wife were among the 30 members of the White Sox family that toured the White House and met President Barack Obama during the Sox’s day off Monday.
“It was amazing,” Richard said. “It’s something that I don’t think you realize how impressive of a visit it is until you go there and experience it. After you leave, you have more people calling you and asking about that than if you throw very well in a game.
“It puts things in perspective. Just see what our country is all about, to see the leader of our country and meet him, it’s a once-in-a-lifetime experience.”
Richard appreciated the fact his wife was among several spouses who were invited to attend.
“I’d really regret not having her come along,” Richard said. “I was lucky enough they invited our wives as well, so she got to enjoy the moment too.”
This marked the third time A.J. Pierzynski has met a U.S. president. He met Bill Clinton during Major League Baseball’s rookie seminar early in his career and George W. Bush on the Sox’s visit in 2006 after winning the World Series.
Extra innings: Carlos Quentin tied Jim Thome’s franchise record for most home runs (seven) hit in the Sox’s first 12 games of a season. … The Sox’s game Thursday night at Baltimore will be carried by Comcast Sports Net Plus and CLTV because of the Bulls’ playoff game with Boston.
