A.L. Central

CHICAGO WHITE SOX

The next step in OH Frank Thomas' rehabilitation will be loosening scar tissue on a tendon in his surgically repaired left ankle. Once he's able to run close to 100 percent without pain, he will face a three-week rehab assignment in Class AAA. Thomas hasn't hit against live pitching since last July and will need 50 to 100 at-bats to get ready. ... Nonroster invitee Chris Widger won the backup catcher job. Manager Ozzie Guillen thinks Widger, 33, will be able to handle sporadic playing time better than Ben Davis, 28. Guillen also wants Widger's righthanded bat to break up a predominantly lefthanded-hitting bench. SCOUTING REPORT: 2B Tadahito Iguchi appears perfectly suited to hit second in the order and able to help set the table for the team's powerful middle of the lineup. Iguchi struggled a bit this spring with inside fastballs but was able to take the ball to right field and hit behind the runner with relative ease. Igucbi doesn't have great speed but is smart and quick on the basepaths.--Scott Merkin

CLEVELAND INDIANS

When LHP C.C. Sabathia comes off the D.L. in mid-April, the Indians will have to juggle their pitching staff. RHPs Matt Miller and Rafael Betancourt are in the most danger of losing a spot, assuming RHP Jason Davis, who is filling in for Sabathia in the rotation, is bumped into a long-relief role. ... OF Juan Gonzalez's achy hamstrings seem ready to blow out on him. If he can't play right field, the team will have to decide what to do with the slugger, whose bat still is potent. His best spot might be designated hitter, but the Indians already have a quality DH in Travis Hafner. SCOUTING REPORT: RHP Bob Wickman throws a hard sinker that dips low in the strike zone. But the pitch is hittable when he gets it up in the zone, and when it's dipping wildly, he issues walks. Wickman fills the bases at times, but he doesn't blow games very often. Durability is an issue for Wickman, 36--his elbow could fail at any time.--Justice B. Hill

KANSAS CITY ROYALS

1B Ken Harvey's demotion to the minors hurts the defense; 1B Mike Sweeney has deficiencies in the field. But Sweeney says he stays sharper at the plate when he also plays in the field. ... Neither part of the Royals' right field platoon--Emil Brown nor Matt Stairs--is a long-term solution at the position. Brown's resume is shaky, and Stairs is 37. ... LHP Brian Anderson has found new life by altering his delivery. The biggest change: eliminating a backward whip that gave hitters too long a look at the ball. Anderson was 6-12 with a 5.64 ERA last season. SCOUTING REPORT: 2B Ruben Gotay won a starting job with a big spring. Gotay hits well and shows pop from the left side but needs work from the right. He'll bat second against righthanders and eighth against lefthanders, although he'll likely yield to 2B Tony Graffanino against lefties who rely on off-speed pitches. Gotay's defense is a concern. His range is limited, so he'll have to cheat toward where he expects the ball will be hit.--Dick Kaegel

DETROIT TIGERS

The decision to keep OF Bobby Higginson gives the Tigers a lefthanded power bat off the bench to complement a predominantly righthanded lineup. His revamped swing remains inconsistent, but his ability to draw walks and his smart play on defense could make him a valuable late-inning replacement. ... RHP Jason Johnson hopes a delivery tweak will help keep his arm angle higher and give him better command. Johnson's arm was creeping lower during his release this spring, which flattened out his pitches. SCOUTING REPORT: 1B Carlos Pena's improvement at the plate dates back to extra hitting work that began last summer. Pena is displaying better pitch recognition, especially between fastballs and changeups, and has learned to go to the plate looking for the pitch he wants to hit. He doesn't chase pitches nearly as often. On defense, Pena has learned to stay within his territory and focus on digging out throws.--Jason Beck

MINNESOTA TWINS

The Twins still have concerns about C Joe Mauer's ability to play every day, so they're carrying four catchers on the roster. It's a good bet Mauer will be behind the plate three or four days per week early in the season and will DH or pinch hit the other days to take advantage of his bat. ... With LHP C.J. Nitkowski fading near the end of camp, RHP Matt Guerrier claimed the final bullpen spot. Guerrier's fastball reaches only 87 to 90 mph; his success hinges on keeping the ball down. He likely will keep his spot until RHP Grant Balfour (forearm) returns from the D.L. SCOUTING REPORT: 2B Luis Rivas' continued poor at-bats this spring invited a late challenge for his starting spot from utilityman Nick Punto. But after putting in extra work, during which he focused on staying down on the ball and hitting line drives instead of fly balls, Rivas had a solid final week and kept the job. The club wants Rivas to take better advantage of his speed by bunting more.--Mark Sheldon

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