White Sox ready to activate Thomas from DL

ARLINGTON, Texas -- White Sox slugger Frank Thomas will be activated from the disabled list Monday, making him available to play for the first time since offseason surgery on his left ankle.

Thomas hit just .190 in 11 games on a rehabilitation assignment, but manager Ozzie Guillen said Sunday that Thomas would rejoin the team for its Memorial Day game at home against the Los Angeles Angels.

"He's healthy and ready to help this team," Guillen said. "Our offense will be better. He'll take the pressure off a couple of guys."

Guillen said he didn't know if Thomas, who last played for the White Sox on July 6, would be in the starting lineup.

The White Sox have the best record in baseball (33-17) without Thomas, even after losing 12-4 Sunday in Texas. It was their third straight loss to finish a 4-5 road trip.

"In the past when we win, it's because Frank is hot, and when we lose it's because Frank is not," Guillen said. "He's a big part, but he's just another player. We've been winning with different people. Hopefully, we can continue to do that."

Frank Thomas is 14 homers away from 450. (Getty Images)

Still, several Chicago hitters were slumping.

Shortstop Juan Uribe (.245) was 3-for-4 Sunday, but was just 4-for-45 his 13 games before that. Third baseman Joe Crede (.229) is in a 4-for-48 slide, with designated hitter Carl Everett (11-for-68 his last 21 games and .234 overall) and Jermaine Dye (.213) also struggling.

Thomas was 8-for-42 during his rehabilitation assignment at Triple-A Charlotte. His only homer came in his last game there Saturday night, when he also had three RBI.

Guillen said Thomas will take some grounders during pregame drills Monday before a decision is made on whether he can play first base or be used as a designated hitter and pinch hitter.

"Frank says he's fine," Guillen said. "Our big concern now is how he feels. I know he's going to hit. I'm concerned about how he's running."

Thomas is a .308 career hitter with 436 homers and 1,439 RBI in 1,925 games over 15 seasons, all with the White Sox. He led the American league in walks (64) and had 18 home runs when he played his last game in 2004.

Thomas played just 74 games last year because of a partial stress fracture of a bone in his left ankle, and had surgery Oct. 6 in which two screws were inserted. He began rehabbing in January and took batting practice for about two months before the rehab assignment at Charlotte.

Everett has been the primary DH for the White Sox this season, starting there for the 41st time Sunday. Paul Konerko has started all but two games at first base, and while hitting just .232, he has 13 homers and 37 RBI -- 20 in the last 21 games.

The White Sox won't have to make another move to create a roster spot for Thomas. Right-hander Brandon McCarthy was sent back to the minors after starting Friday night against Texas.