Erstad to Chisox

SuperAngels · January 23, 2007

Podsednik out six weeks after surgery

01/23/2007 4:41 PM ET

By Scott Merkin / MLB.com

CHICAGO -- The White Sox outfield just might feature a very different look at the start of the 2007 season.

Scott Podsednik, the team's left fielder and leadoff hitter brought back during the current offseason on a one-year, $2.9 million deal, will be out of action for the next six weeks after undergoing groin surgery on Tuesday. The problem stemmed from an injury four years ago with Milwaukee and not the groin injuries plaguing him the last two seasons.

In order to help compensate for Podsednik's loss, while adding another productive bat to the outfield mix, MLB.com has learned Darin Erstad will be joining the White Sox on a one-year deal with an option for the 2008 season. The deal is pending a physical later in the week, but if all goes as planned, Erstad should be part of the team by SoxFest this weekend.

Erstad will compete with Brian Anderson for starting time in center field if Podsednik returns healthy during Spring Training and is ready to go for the start of the regular season. Rookie outfielders Ryan Sweeney and Jerry Owens also could figure into the overall mix, depending on Podsednik's recovery period.

Tuesday's move basically leaves White Sox position battles for the fifth starter and the final bullpen spot to be hashed out in Tucson.

This story was not subject to the approval of Major League Baseball or its clubs.