AP Photo

GLENDALE, Ariz. -- Tyler Flowers, embarking on his first major league season as a full-time catcher, has caught in only three of the White Sox' eight games this spring. He was in the lineup as the designated hitter Sunday with Hector Gimenez catching Jake Peavy. The Sox play the Padres in Peoria.

Flowers has spent much of his time doing extra work on receiving, blocking, throwing and hitting.

"It's a long spring, it's early,'' Flowers said. "I expect to start playing every other day consistently soon.''

Bench coach Mark Parent, a former catcher, knows the rigors of the job and does what he can to keep Flowers fresh. It's not unusual to see Parent picking him up in a golf cart to transport Flowers from one station to another on the backfields.

"He's a catcher, he knows how heavy the bags are,'' Flowers said. "He's a nice guy.''

Shortstop Alexei Ramirez returned from Miami, where he had been tending to a family matter since Tuesday, and will play shortstop.

The lineup against lefty Clayton Richard: Wise LF, Morel 3B, Flowers C, Konerko DH, Gimenez C, Ramirez SS, Gartrell RF, Walker CF, Beckham 2B.