GLENDALE, Ariz. -The White Sox inched another step closer to making the worst-kept secret in camp official, that Mark Buehrle will be their Opening Day starter.

''Well, my guy is Buehrle,'' manager Ozzie Guillen said Thursday. "If you talk to [pitching coach] Don Cooper, it would the same [decision], and I don't think [general manager] Kenny Williams will have a problem with that. I just can't make it official. It's Buehrle unless something drastic happens.

"I think it's a no-brainer.''

Buehrle has started eight openers, going 3-1 with a 3.38 ERA.

Edwin Jackson, John Danks and Gavin Floyd are slated to follow in the rotation with the No. 5 spot being held for Jake Peavy, although Peavy is a long shot to pitch in early April.