Scott Podsednik is back, but he didn't have far to go.
The 33-year-old outfielder, who lives in Dallas and played with the White Sox from 2005-07, started in center field for the Sox on Friday night and went 2-for-4 in a 4-3 victory over the Texas Rangers. Podsednik didn't have to wait long for this major-league return after the Sox signed him on April 15.
''I went to the house for just over a week, but I continued to work out and keep myself in shape,'' Podsednik said of his time before the Sox contacted him again.
''I continued to monitor the league, looking around and waiting for a potential spot to open up. Unfortunately, you guys had a couple of injuries ... and I had some conversations with Kenny [Williams]. And one thing led to another, and I went down to Charlotte to get some at-bats.''
In 10 games with Charlotte, Podsednik hit .262 (11-for-42).
''It all happened pretty quick,'' he said. ''All-in-all, I'm excited about the opportunity, looking forward to getting back.
''It's good to see the guys. You create a special bond with guys that you won the World Series with.''
''He's going to start a few games in center field and see how it works,'' Sox manager Ozzie Guillen said. ''I want to put him at the top of the lineup, but I think it's too early, and [Chris] Getz is doing a tremendous job in the spot.
''Pods is going to bring some energy. He's excited to be here, and his teammates are excited to have him. Hopefully, he plays good.''
CHANGING PLACES
In other roster moves, outfielder Jerry Owens was outrighted to Charlotte, outfielder Brian Anderson (strained right oblique) was placed on the disabled list, and infielder Jayson Nix returned from his rehab assignment and was reinstated from the DL.
Guillen said Nix ''is going to play second base when a lefty is coming up. Sunday we have a lefty. I like the way he plays, and he does a lot of things to help us. Hopefully, he's healthy.''
The Rangers put outfielder Josh Hamilton, who has missed the last four games with a strained intercostal muscle in his left rib cage, on the 15-day DL.
ANDERSON REPORT
''I expect him not to miss more than 15 days,'' Guillen said of Anderson. ''The reason we did it is just because [Brent] Lillibridge can go back and play when we get to Chicago.
''But we were going to have five, six, seven days without one guy. And those kinds of injuries, you never know what's going to happen. Hopefully, you do it right the first time and it don't come back.''
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