ST. PETERSBURG, Fla. -- Chicago White Sox pitcher Jose Contreras threw 98 pitches during a bullpen session Thursday and is expected to be activated from the 15-day disabled list to pitch against the Cubs on Sunday.
Contreras went on the DL May 9 with a pinched nerve in his right leg. He is 5-0 with a 1.41 ERA.
"There's no doubt I'll be pitching Sunday," Contreras said
through a translator. "I feel stronger and a bit more confident
than the previous bullpen [session on Monday]. Also, my control was
better today."
Contreras threw 50 pitches, sat down for several minutes, then made 48 more pitches off the bullpen mound to simulate an inning.
"I think he's going to be pitching Sunday," said White Sox
pitching coach Don Cooper, who earlier in the day agreed to a
three-year contract extension. "I think he's anxious to go. He
wants back in."
The defending World Series champion White Sox begin a three-game series with the Cubs Friday. Contreras is scheduled to face Carlos Zambrano in the finale.
"We got our big guy back," Cooper said. "His stuff is there.
His movement is there. He's all ready to go."
Four other White Sox coaches also agreed to multiyear extensions. They are first base coach Harold Baines, third base coach Joey Cora, hitting coach Greg Walker and bullpen coach Art Kusnyer.
Manager Ozzie Guillen is signed through 2008 and has an option
for 2009.