Bartolo Colon Evasive at White Sox Camp

If body language, demeanor and form have anything to say about a pitcher's state of mind and readiness for play, then expect a long, long wait for White Sox starter Bartolo Colon to become productive.

The portly former Cy Young winner -- looking as though he was dragging every ounce of his 250 pounds -- has been behaving in a surly, generally disagreeable and defensive way since arriving at Cactus League camp, refusing to say anything to reporters about his condition since undergoing surgery last fall for the removal of bone chips from his elbow.

Whatever it means, it can't be good. Though projected as the No. 4 starter, he has yet to begin throwing.

Colon, 38, last pitched for the Red Sox in 2008, notching a 3.92 ERA, but his appearances came in fits and starts, as he bounced back and forth between Boston and Triple A Pawtucket, missing a number of scheduled starts. Altogether, he only pitched for 39 innings for the season and gave up a .280 opposing batting average.

Come April, if Colon can't go, it will be interesting to see what impact his disablement has on an assortment of other pitchers fighting for a spot at the bottom of the rotation, none more intriguing than six-foot-six top prospect Aaron Poreda, a 22-year-old lefty still in need of development but who can bring it.

Clay Buchholz Tries to Hold Off Bartolo Colon

With veteran Bartolo Colon injured, young Red Sox hurler Clay Buchholz now has a reprieve from what had been a probable demotion to Triple A Pawtucket.

Though nothing is official, Buchholz in all likelihood would have been demoted by now if Colon had not pulled up sore with a rib strain.

Colon, 34, had been anticipated to be named to the major league roster last week until doctors determined he should rest, effectively holding off his probable candidacy to replace Buchholz, 22. Buchholz is believed to have been ticketed to Pawtucket as coaches had been concerned over his inexperience and more than 10 ERA during spring camp and 5.03 ERA in the early going this season.

Though Buchholz pitched a no-hitter last year, he has options remaining and Colon had been throwing in the mid-90s in Pawtucket.

The Red Sox signed the free agent Colon to a $1.2 million, incentive-laden, one-year contract that goes into effect once Colon makes the roster. He was initially signed to replace injured staff ace Curt Schilling, who despite claims to the contrary is likely gone for the remainder of the year, perhaps forever.

Many scoffed at the Colon decision as he was only 6-8 with a 6.34 ERA in limited action with the Angels last year, having dealt with chronic elbow inflammation and rotator cuff problems. Colon started just 10 times in 2006, going 1-5 with a 5.11 ERA.

But Colon had been throwing well, dieting and exercising in Pawtucket, and had brought his weight down somewhat, though he appears to tip the scales at considerably more than the 245 pounds at which he is now listed.

Angels Joe Saunders is Finally Here to Stay

Angels starter Joe Saunders -- who has ridden the I-15 shuttle to Salt Lake so often that Las Vegas should offer him frequent flyer points -- at long last has arrived to stay in Los Angeles.

The promising young lefty will remain not only because he is 4-0 with a 3.25 ERA in six spot major league appearances so far this season, but because he is out of options and cannot be sent down again without being exposed to a claim by another team.

At this point the worst that could happen is that Saunders would be relegated to the bullpen, but that seems unlikely considering Saunders has a starter's rhythm. Even if former No. 2 starter Ervin Santana should return from the minors, the Angels likely will find a rotation spot for Saunders with former ace Bartolo Colon back on the injured list.

Colon's injury -- the latest in a series of setbacks all season -- has prompted speculation that he may not be able to be effective from this point forward.