White Sox manager Robin Ventura said utility man Brent Lillibridge might start in the series finale against the Orioles on Thursday afternoon. That would be music to the ears of Lillibridge,who had five at-bats going into Wednesday's game, the least of anyone on the Sox.

Lillibridge is waiting patiently and hasn't gone to Ventura to talk about playing time.

"The wife wants me to because she wants to see me play,'' he said. "But I know there's a plan, so I have to be ready. Work hard, no complaining, be a great teammate and go from there. I want to be in there. I know I'm going to get my opportunities.''

Lillibridge sees Brent Morel and Gordon Beckham struggling and knows he'd be one to step in but he understands why Ventura is sticking with them.

"I totally respect and understand it,'' Lillibridge said. "If they do well, we all do well and it's the only way we're going to get better and have a chance to win long term and not be on that roller coaster.''

Lillibridge, who started one game in left field, has been used as a pinch runner and defensive replacement for Dayan Viciedo in left field. Kosuke Fukudome started in left on Wednesday.