ARLINGTON, Texas -- A.J. Pierzynski is out of the starting lineup for Friday night's game against the Texas Rangers.

The White Sox catcher missed the last two games of the Sox' series against the Twins at U.S. Cellular Field on Tuesday and Wednesday with a minor right oblique strain.

Tyler Flowers will catch Chris Sale Friday night and bat eighth. Piersynski is available as a backup and is expected to play during the series, most likely Sunday against Rangers starter Scott Feldman.

With left-hander Matt Harrison starting on Saturday, Pierzynski will likely take another day off.

"It's just a case of not pushing it,'' Ventura said. "He could play but with two months left we don't want to lose him for two weeks.''

Pierzynski hit in the cage Friday and said it was "100 times better.''

"We felt give it another day or two and that way I'll be a lot closer to 100 percent, based on the way it's responded the last two days,'' Pierzynski said.

"I can catch fine. I can throw fine. I did a full workout today. I've done everything. The only time I fee it is when I swing. It's not unmanageable, it's not unbearable. It's just better to be safe than sorry and have it continue to get better rather than something crazy happen.''