Dewayne Wise Separates Shoulder

The battle for the White Sox starting center field job this spring wasn't exactly epic, but when the dust had finally settled, it was minor-league journeyman Dewayne Wise who had emerged victorious against Brian Anderson and Jerry Owens. And when I say victorious, I mean least harmful.

Wise also won the leadoff job in Ozzie Guillen's lineup, but that role only lasted for two games before Guillen replaced Wise with rookie Chris Getz, which seemed to be working well for Wise. Which is why it's too bad that he's going to miss the next four to six weeks after suffering a Grade 3 seperation of his shoulder while making a diving catch during the fifth inning on Monday.

Wise suffered the injury while making a diving catch of Ramon Santiago's drive in the fifth and landed on his right shoulder in immediate pain before he was attended to by manager Ozzie Guillen and trainer Herm Schneider.

Wise will be headed to the disabled list.

At least he went out on a high note as the catch Wise made may have saved the game for Gavin Floyd and the White Sox. In Dewayne's absence the team has called up Jerry Owens, whom they placed on waivers only a few weeks ago after he once again failed to win the center field job despite entering spring as the favorite.

If Owens can get on base enough while filling in for Wise he may just take his job permanently. With his speed, the White Sox would be thrilled if he played well enough to justify being on top of the order for the rest of the season.