Hobbled Fisk to open season on 15-day DL // Veteran catcher to miss at least first five games

SARASOTA, Fla. The start of Carlton Fisk's 20th full season willhave to wait.

The veteran catcher, agreeing that his right foot tendoninflammation has not improved enough for him to play in Tuesday'sopener at California, was placed on the 15-day disabled listWednesday.

It was made retroactive to last Saturday, meaning Fisk couldcatch at Oakland April 12 before the team returns to Chicago for itshome opener April 13 against Seattle.

"I told Pudge, `I'm not worried about the first five or sixgames; I want you healthy for the next 150,' " general manager RonSchueler said.

"He said he couldn't play on it the way it is now and was gladthat if it had to happen, it happened now and not later."

Fisk, hitting .125 in exhibitions, hasn't played in two weeks.

KARKOVICE HURTING: Backup catcher Ron Karkovice also is injured,but not enough to keep him from taking Fisk's place. He jammed histhumb twice Tuesday in Fort Myers, once when he slid head first intohome.

"You always want to play, but not at the expense of someonebeing hurt," he said.

EXTRA PITCHER: The Sox will carry 11 pitchers to start theseason. Steve Wapnick, Brian Drahman and Roberto Hernandez will viefor two relief spots on a three-game barnstorming trip startingtomorrow.

THEFTS REPORTED: Police began an investigation into stolenequipment and memorabilia from the clubhouse. Their only clue was astyrofoam cup with water and a cigarette in it.

The thieves knew their targets, going right to the lockers ofstars Fisk, Frank Thomas and Robin Ventura for bats, jerseys andgloves.

"It had to be an inside job," a security member said.

COLD BUSINESS: Sox groundskeeper Roger Bossard isn't concernedwith recent Chicago snow, but is keeping an eye on predictions of acold spring.

"Snow is good groundcover," Bossard said. "If I had my way,there'd be snow from mid-November until the end of March.

"What I'm concerned about is a cold front we're supposed to getwhen we open at home (April 13). Earl Finkel's reports are importantto me. He's 60 percent accurate on long range."

NOTES: Dan Pasqua is puzzled by shoulder soreness. "I don'tknow what's wrong, and no one's telling me," he said. Ozzie Guillen agreed to a rap-song promotion for "This Week inBaseball," but not his double-play partner. "I'm sorry, but no,"Steve Sax said after trying to figure out the words. About 2,000 upper-deck box and reserved seats go on sale at ComiskeyPark today. Bill Melton, who led the league in home runs with 33 in 1971 andfive times hit 20 or more, will work with the club in variousfunctions and perhaps do radio work.