Bartolo and Freddy

During the 6 p.m. sportscast on Wednesday of the local Chicago NBC affiliate, the station ran a headshot of Bartolo Colon that was made up to look like Waldo, the famous character kids are trying to find in various books. In this instance, the caption read, ‘Where’s Bartolo?’

Colon apparently was found on Wednesday and was reported to be heading from the Dominican Republic to Charlotte for a scheduled injury rehab start with the Knights on Thursday night. Well, here’s the update.

As of Thursday afternoon, two sources told me that Colon had not yet been seen in Charlotte but was expected to be there and make his scheduled start–weather permitting. Barring an excused sort of absence, it clearly would behoove Colon to show up for this trip to the mound if he has any hope or intentions of pitching for the White Sox again this year. Colon has been out of action since June 7, sidelined by left knee inflammation.

Meanwhile, as Clayton Richard continues to struggle as part of the starting rotation, don’t discount Freddy Garcia from making a return to the White Sox rotation at some point in the second half of the season. The right-hander, who was such a valuable piece to the team’s 2005 World Series run, reportedly has looked good during his program to get back into pitching shape, after being bothered by shoulder problems for the past two seasons. Garcia, 34, agreed to a Minor League deal with the White Sox on June 8 of this season.

Hey, the back to the future move certainly has paid huge dividends with the return of Scott Podsednik.