Days dwindling for Beckham to prove himself ready

PEORIA, Ariz. -- White Sox manager Robin Ventura made it clear that Gordon Beckham has to test his strained left oblique in a game situation in order to be cleared for Opening Day.

Ventura said that Beckham was doing more on Monday, after swinging in the cage Sunday. But as was pointed out Sunday, the second baseman is running out of days to avoid the disabled list at the season's outset.

"I don't know exactly what it's going to be," said Ventura of Beckham, who last played on March 14. "There is definitely going to be a cut off day here pretty soon. He's going to have to get some at-bats and know he can play without feeling like he's going to tweak or pull something."