BASEBALL / DAILY REPORT : AL PLAYOFFS : Injury Might Force Thomas Into DH Role

While the Chicago White Sox busily were telling the world Monday that first baseman Frank Thomas’ bruised triceps has healed, vowing that he will be perfectly fine for the American League playoffs, the Toronto Blue Jays privately are skeptical.

“Let’s just say we think he’s hurt a lot worse than they’re saying,” said one Blue Jay. “He doesn’t have a real high threshold of pain, so you can tell easier that it’s bothering him.”

Thomas, who played Sunday for the first time in a week, is expected to be the designated hitter tonight when Manager Gene Lamont announces his starting lineup. Thomas pronounced himself fit during Monday’s workouts, saying he could play first base.

Lamont, acknowledging that the White Sox would have little chance of defeating the Blue Jays without Thomas in the lineup, says he probably will be cautious and use Thomas as a DH for at least the first two games of the series. Dan Pasqua is expected to play first base. Thomas hit 41 homers and drove in 128 runs this season.

Thomas has been fitted for a protective sleeve made of soft body armor that he will wear if he plays the field. The sleeve has a cushion of air to protect his triceps, which the White Sox say was bruised Sept. 19 when Thomas crashed into a support post in Oakland.

“It’s been a tough week for me but it’s 100% better than three days ago,” Thomas said. “It was three of four times the normal size, and I was concerned. . . .

“I slept in a sling for three nights, and it really helped. My timing is off, and my reflexes are off, but I’ll be OK.”

The Blue Jays, who have extensively scouted the White Sox, still believe that Thomas is favoring the left arm. Thomas is recognized as the finest breaking-ball hitter in the game but they believe he might be much more vulnerable to the off-speed pitches.

“The only problem is that a Frank Thomas playing at 90% still is better than about 500 players in the American League and National League,” Blue Jay outfielder Joe Carter said.

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White Sox shortstop Ozzie Guillen at first became annoyed, and then downright upset Monday upon hearing that Blue Jay outfielders Rickey Henderson and Carter were criticizing the playing conditions at Comiskey Park.

“It’s one of the worst fields there is for traction,” Henderson said. “It’s like someone poured a gallon of water on it.”

Said Carter: “It reminds me of Detroit. You can tell which way the wind is blowing just by looking at which way the grass is blowing. I mean, it’s that high.”

Guillen’s reaction?

“Those guys are too old to be making excuses,” he said. “I don’t care if you play on Mars or in the jungle, you’ve got to play baseball. I can’t believe they’d say something like that. I mean, Rickey can steal a base on the Pacific Beach, so why does he have to make excuses.

“He just gave me an idea, though. I’m going out and tell the (ground crew) to put a hose on this thing for three days. Make it so wet you can’t even walk on the field.”

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Although the White Sox and Blue Jays are considered virtually even in talent, having split their 12-game series this season, the Blue Jays have a formidable advantage in experience.

The four-man Blue Jay rotation, led by Dave Stewart, has pitched in 27 postseason games. No White Sox starter has pitched in a playoff game. The Blue Jay lineup has played in 142 postseason games, the White Sox lineup in 10.

“You’ve got to be there first to know what to expect,” Carter said. “I think this definitely helps us. When you’re in the playoffs, the focus isn’t on the game anymore. That’s the easy part. Dealing with all of the attention, all of the media coverage, now that’s the tough part.”

It also is why the White Sox’s vaunted rotation could prove to be vulnerable, considering that Jack McDowell, 27, is the only starter older than 24.

“I can’t remember a pitching staff being that young going into the playoffs, ever,” said Gordon Lakey, Blue Jay scout. “But I’ll say this, I don’t look for them to scare. Their composure was unbelievable down the stretch.”