Ballantini: White Sox's Dunn coming along

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Saturday, April 9, 2011
Posted: 2:22 p.m.
By Brett Ballantini
CSNChicago.com

After experiencing what he called the worst pain yet from his appendicitis surgery on Friday, Adam Dunn arrived at U.S. Cellular Field fit and feisty, feeling better than he has since he underwent the procedure early on Wednesday morning.

The Wolverine healing powers have kicked in, Dunn said, fresh from an indoor hitting session. I knew it was only a matter of time.

Dunn was unaware that manager Ozzie Guillen had proclaimed on Friday that the slugger would need to sit out at least the five days doctors estimated hed be sidelined, and then prove to everyoneGM Ken Williams, hitting coach Greg Walker, doctors, his mom and dad, and new White Sox organist Lori Morelandhe was fit to return to action. But he didnt care, either.

I want to beat the prognosis and play by Sunday, Dunn said, adding that if all proceeds normally hell take batting practice on Sunday and potentially suit up for Sundays series finale vs. the Tampa Bay Rays.

Guillen stood firm.

I talked to Hermie White Sox trainer Herm Schneider and he said the progress is going slow but very sure, Guillen said. He said he was swinging at 50 so there's not a timetable yet. I don't think it's fair for us to say, This is the timetable; that's what we want to do. It's up to him. He's swinging the bat a little bit, and that's good news.I'm not a doctor, but when they open your body and you say five days, I don't care who you are, you're not Superman. I don't care how tough you are, that's going to get you.

Dunn said that he woke up this morning to a revelation.

I was on my side, and thats how I normally sleep, Dunn said. So I opened my eyes and said, whoa. I stood up and felt good, and said, now were in business.

Dunn said he wasnt swinging at 100, but it felt OK. And that means tomorrow is going to be great.

Of course, with Mark Teahen tapping out three hits, including a home run and an apparent game-icing two-run single in the eighth, Dunn realizes that theres no reason for him to speed back to action.

It is hard sitting out, but its a great feeling to know that whoevers in there taking your spot is more than qualified, if not better than you, like Mark yesterday. With this team it makes it a lot easier to not rush, because you know my replacements are going to pick up the slack.

Guillen estimated that Dunn would certainly play before the homestand runs out, however.

When? I don't knowwe have a long homestand, and I hope I see him before it ends, Guillen said. If not, we'll wait and see. If I say I hope it's Monday or Tuesday or Wednesday, then every day we have to come out and address it. From what I hear, I expect him to be back before next weekend.

Brett Ballantini is CSNChicago.coms White Sox Insider. Follow him @CSNChi_Beatnik on Twitter for up-to-the-minute Sox information.

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