Peavy not yet cleared to begin working out

HOUSTON -- Jake Peavy feels "a whole lot better moving around" where the fractured rib on his left side is concerned, an injury that sent the White Sox right-hander to the disabled list retroactive to June 5. But the fact that he still has to protect against sneezing, coughing or laughing shows the four-to-six-week projection for his return probably won't be sped up.

"They still won't let me do anything," Peavy said. "I asked yesterday if I could ride the bike or stretch, and still they said the two-week period to let the process start before we do anything. I guess the biggest thing is any kind of heavy breathing in my diaphragm expanding, we're trying to stay away from that.

"My life has been pretty easy as far as physical activity goes these past few weeks. It's been as uneasy as can be when the team is going the way it is going and you can't be a factor."

Peavy believes that bike work could start in the next few days. The plan also is to get another MRI toward the end of this 10-game road trip, or when the team gets back home, to make sure healing is taking place. Peavy's Charity Jam, scheduled for Sunday night at Joe's on Weed Street in Chicago, still will take place. If Peavy is unable to play the guitar, he will serve as emcee for the entertaining evening.

"We thought about calling it off, but we got too many good acts coming in and too much planning in," Peavy said. "Sunday night will be a cool, cool night if you can make it out. It will be worth coming out, I can promise you that."