L. Garcia starts at second base for White Sox

CHICAGO -- Leury Garcia earned his first start as a member of the White Sox, hitting ninth and playing second on Tuesday night against the Astros. Manager Robin Ventura said that Garcia probably would start at shortstop in place of Alexei Ramirez in Wednesday night's series finale.

Garcia, 22, was the player to be named from Texas in the Alex Rios trade. The switch-hitter has the ability to play second, short, third and the outfield, and is ready to do any or all of them in a given game.

"It's like going from taking ground balls in practice and then going to the outfield to take fly balls," said Garcia, through translator and White Sox coach Lino Diaz, of playing the infield and outfield.

"He feels comfortable playing in the outfield," Ventura said. "It's valuable to have a guy that versatile to be able to move him around the infield in case something happens."

Speed stands as another important part of Garcia's game. And it's an area where the 5-foot-7, 160-pounder is focused offensively.

"I play the little game. I bunt the ball. I run. I put the ball in play. That's my game," Garcia said. "I want to make contact so I can use my ability to run."

Garcia went 0-for-3 in Tuesday night's 4-3 comeback victory.