Danks should be ready by spring

Chicago White Sox pitcher John Danks had surgery on his left shoulder on Monday, and the team expects him to be ready for the start of spring training.

Danks' arm is expected to be in a sling for a month. Doctors at Chicago's Rush University Medical Center repaired a capsule tear and removed debris in the rotator cuff and biceps. The White Sox said the surgery revealed a normal labrum, and Danks will be on a regular schedule when camp starts.

''This is a part of the shoulder that they're not as worried about,'' White Sox manager Robin Ventura said. ''If it was the labrum or something like that, it would be worse. It's good news. He'll be ready to go.''

Danks, 3-4 with a 5.70 ERA in nine starts, hasn't pitched in the majors since May 19. He is in the first season of a five-year, $65 million contract.

''I know he's pretty relieved as far as there was something there, they fixed it,'' Ventura said.

Besides the surgery on Danks, Ventura said Francisco Liriano sustained no real lingering effects after being struck in the right quadriceps by Maicer Izturis' one-hopper in the fifth inning against the Los Angeles Angels on Sunday. Liriano left after five innings.

''He said he was fine,'' Ventura said. ''He has a nice bruise on his leg. But he's fine.''

The White Sox also scratched Alejandro De Aza from the lineup on Monday night against Kansas City because of tightness in his back. Center fielder Jordan Danks was inserted into the leadoff spot in his place.