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ARLINGTON, Texas -- The Chicago White Sox optioned left-handed reliever Donnie Veal to Triple-A Charlotte on Wednesday and recalled right-handed reliever Brian Omogrosso.

Omogrosso, 29, joined the Sox before Wednesday night's game against the Texas Rangers. He learned of his promotion at 1 a.m. and was in the visitors clubhouse in Arlington 12 hours later.

In 17 relief outings with the White Sox as a rookie in 2012, Omogrosso had a 2.57 ERA with 18 strikeouts in 17 innings. He allowed only one earned run in his final seven appearances, a span of nine innings.

With Charlotte this season, Omogrosso is 0-1 with a 6.52 ERA with nine strikeouts in seven 9.2 innings.

"I was nervous last year with it being my first time up," the 6-foot-4, 240-pounder said. "It helps to have another year of experience and knowing the guys more. You play your whole life for this opportunity."

White Sox manager Robin Ventura said Veal had "things he needed to work on," but the team doesn’t have the luxury to wait for development.

Veal, 28, was 1-0 with a 4.26 ERA in 6 1/3 innings and one hold in 12 relief appearances.

Veal was brought in to face left-handed hitting Mitch Moreland but was touched for an RBI double, the first of six Texas runs in the sixth inning of a 10-6 White Sox loss Tuesday.

Ventura said that after this move, the White Sox will be less likely to call on a reliever to work just one batter with fewer left-handers in the bullpen.

CHICAGO -- Things are going so poorly for the Chicago White Sox right now that even one of the reliable portions of the roster stumbled on Sunday.

The American League’s best bullpen over the first three weeks of the season blew a tire, giving up a four-run seventh inning that led to a 5-3 defeat against the weak-hitting Minnesota Twins. The lineup The Twins used had four hitters batting .208 or less and six at .225 or lower.

Matt Lindstrom, Donnie Veal and Jesse Crain combined to allow all four runs in the seventh inning as Gavin Floyd was left with a no-decision after giving up just one run and three hits over six innings.

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CHICAGO -- Against a Minnesota Twins lineup that had six players batting .225 or less, the Chicago White Sox were defeated 5-3 in the series finale.

How it happened: Normally dependable, the White Sox’s bullpen couldn’t support a solid outing from Gavin Floyd. Matt Lindstrom, Donnie Veal and Jesse Crain combined to give up four runs in the seventh inning after Floyd completed a day when he gave up one run over six innings. The Twins’ Aaron Hicks, who entered batting .042, drove in the first run of the seventh on a single, while Josh Willingham, batting .225 at the outset, delivered a three-run triple off Crain in the inning. White Sox relievers started the day leading the American League with a 1.63 ERA and a .177 opponents' batting average.

What it means: Runs continue to be hard to come by for the White Sox, who have now scored three times or less in eight of their 18 games this season. Three of the first five hitters in the White Sox lineup Sunday were batting .227 at the start of the game or less, including the first two, Alejandro De Aza and Jeff Keppinger. De Aza and Keppinger managed to deliver, though, as Keppinger brought home De Aza twice, even though it was on outs both times, with a ground out in the fourth inning and a fly ball in the sixth.

Outside the box: While it wasn’t enough to end talk of a slump, Adam Dunn did hit a solo home run in the seventh inning to snap an 0-for-31 dry spell. He had one hit in his previous 39 at-bats before going deep. Going back to Saturday’s game, Dunn had struck out five times in six trips to the plate against the Twins before hitting his home run off of reliever Josh Roenicke, his third of the season. He later struck out to end the game.

Off beat: On the one-year anniversary of Philip Humber's perfect game in Seattle last season, Floyd actually retired the first seven batters he faced before a walk to Hicks. Floyd didn’t give up his first hit until Willingham touched him for a single with one out in the fourth inning. After giving up a combined nine runs over his last two starts, Floyd’s outing Sunday was his best of his four appearances this season. He gave up just three hits to go along with the one run he allowed.

Up next: The White Sox will send right-hander Dylan Axelrod (0-1, 4.70 ERA) to the mound Monday against Cleveland in the opener of a three-game series. The Indians will counter with right-hander Justin Masterson (3-1, 1.67) in the 7:10 p.m. start from U.S. Cellular Field.

Doug Padilla previews the White Sox by position in the days leading up to pitchers and catchers reporting for spring training on Feb. 12.

Nothing beats a cost-effective young closer like Addison Reed, especially since his low price tag gives the Chicago White Sox the opportunity to spend on other areas of the bullpen.

Jesse Crain and Matt Thornton, the bullpen veterans, will split $10 million between them with there still a little left over to bring in a hard-throwing newcomer in Matt Lindstrom, who will pocket $2.3 million this season. The rest of the relief help falls into the "affordable" category.

The back end of the bullpen appears to be solid, but the White Sox still can't ignore other areas. Finding a quality long man (or two) will be vital, especially with starter John Danks returning from injury and any efforts the club might undertake to maintain Chris Sale's innings.

So far, the only thing the White Sox are saying in regard to Sale is that he will get a later start than others in spring training and no mention has been made on a targeted inning count for 2013. Sale threw 192 innings in 2012.

Addison Reed, RHP: The young talent was far from the only one who dealt with a late-season swoon. It's easy to see that Reed trailed off last season with an 8.00 ERA in September and an opponents' batting average of .351 in the month. Reed's most ardent supporters, though, will point a handful of outings, especially the six runs he allowed May 13, as the reason for his untidy 4.75 ERA. The bottom line is that consistency will be Reed's aim this season and his first full season of experience should help him get there. He plans on using a new cardio program to help with stamina throughout the summer.

Matt Thornton, LHP: Once again, there will be a lot expected from one of the veteran anchors of the White Sox's bullpen. It's perhaps a tall order considering that Thornton's 10 losses were easily the most of all left-handers last year and were tied for the most among all relievers in baseball. Add to that four blown saves as the carnage mounted. Through it all, Thornton did manage seven saves and an ERA under 3.50. His veteran presence will be leaned on heavily.

Jesse Crain, RHP: A strained left oblique and a strained right shoulder disrupted a 2012 season but the year still wasn't a lost cause. Crain managed to make 51 appearances (48 innings) while posting a 2.44 ERA to go along with four saves and two victories. His 1.08 WHIP was his best since posting a 1.07 mark in his rookie season of 2004 with the Minnesota Twins. He is expected to pitch for Canada in the WBC.

Nate Jones, RHP: In the epitome of a surprise breakout season, Jones managed to skip the Triple-A level entirely by earning a roster spot with a solid 2012 spring training. His 2.39 ERA and 8-0 rookie marks signal that the sky's the limit for the hard thrower from Kentucky. At SoxFest manager Robin Ventura told the crowd that Jones would be able to challenge Reed for the closer spot. Ventura's wink afterward suggested Reed will keep his job, but there is still no mistaking the White Sox like what they have in Jones.

Matt Lindstrom, RHP: If Reed and Jones represent the hard-throwing youngsters, Lindstrom is the older equivalent. He will turn 33 on Monday but still relies on the velocity of his youth. Despite pitching in both leagues last season (with Arizona and Baltimore), he still posted a 2.68 ERA over 48 outings. Finally getting a chance to pick his own club via free agency, Lindstrom says he delayed the process this winter in order to hear from the White Sox. He's right where he wants to be now.

Hector Santiago, LHP: If Danks isn't ready to start the season on time, Santiago could end up getting some early starts. Either way, he should be a key member of the bullpen as a long man, and his ability to rack up innings would help ease the early innings count on the recovering Danks. If Gavin Floyd can't work his way back toward 200 innings, Santiago could be in for a long, grueling season.

Dylan Axelrod, RHP: Also in the competition for any early Danks starts, Axelrod could also help in the long man department. It isn't likely the White Sox carry two long men, but if either Axelrod or Santiago is starting at any point then a bullpen spot would be available for the other.

Donnie Veal, LHP: With Santiago and Thornton in the bullpen, the White Sox have coverage from the left side. But Veal could end up being a lefty specialist like the White Sox tried to do with Will Ohman in recent years.

Other bullpen options include Deunte Heath, Brian Omogrosso and Leyson Septimo, who all saw some action with the White Sox last season. Non-roster invitees to camp with major-league experience include Jeff Gray, who pitched 52 innings for the Twins last season, and Ramon Troncoso, who was a key member of the Los Angeles Dodgers' bullpen that made back-to-back NLCS appearances in 2008 and 2009.

The big hit that had eluded the Chicago White Sox during their recent five-game losing streak finally showed up Monday in the form of Adam Dunn's possibly season-changing home-run ball.

And although many will point to that as the turning point in this game, if not this season, the key to the success of the resilient Sox, who maintained a one-game AL Central lead over the Tigers with their 5-4 win over the Indians, starts with Robin Ventura and his coaching staff.

The recent five-game skid would have had many a veteran manager dragging out the dreaded “team meeting.” Ventura has different approach to hard times. Instead of the collective Vince Lombardi-type speech, Ventura coaches with one-on-one, calm, instructive conversations.

This is not an indictment of Ozzie Guillen’s handling of hard times, but more of a learned trait among this interesting group of young and veteran players who have become a tight-knit family.

“You saw (a group effort) tonight,” said Sox starter Chris Sale, who pitched seven innings and allowed three runs in a no-decision. “We got some hits and scored some runs when we needed to. We just have to keep pushing. This was Dunner’s night.”

Sale may be right about Dunn and his big night, however Ventura’s belief in his bullpen, including having the nerve to close out a game with Donnie Veal, shows how his confidence in all 25 men has been the Sox’s main formula for success.

Veal got his first career save, retiring Jason Kipnis with the tying run on second base.

“(Ventura’s approach to roster) has been the key,” Sale said. “They have done a heck of a job all year. I can pretty much speak for everyone in here that we love these (coaches) and they have our backs and we have their back as well. We want to win for them and each other. When you get a good combination like that, you know we are in that position because of that.”

Veal, who had retired 24 straight left-handed hitters before Shin-Soo Choo's RBI double in the ninth, is just the latest to get his chance to shine in a clubhouse that has no doghouse.

“The story around here is relax and play the game,” Veal said.

CHICAGO -- Chicago White Sox manager Robin Ventura has frequented the mound 68 times to call upon his bullpen since September arrived.

Through the month’s first 11 games, the bullpen was hit-or-miss for Ventura, allowing 28 runs. Lately, though, it’s become more dependable, and that was case again Monday in the White Sox’s 5-4 win over the Detroit Tigers at U.S. Cellular Field.

Ventura went to bullpen five times Monday, and the five White Sox’s relievers combined to allow one hit and no runs in five innings.

In the past four games, which were all wins, 13 White Sox relievers have combined to give up five hits and one run in 13 innings.

Nate Jones carried the load in Monday’s win. He was called up in the fifth inning after starter Jose Quintana allowed a double and single to start the inning. Jones started off shaky, allowing a single to Delmon Young to score a run, but from there he settled down. He retired the next seven hitters he faced.

Jones has made 15 consecutive scoreless appearances and again fell in line for the win. He’s now 8-0 on the season.

“Nate picked the bullpen up big time today going those couple innings,” fellow White Sox reliever Brett Myers said. “That’s huge. He stepped up, threw the ball great. He dominated them today. That’s huge. That’s a big step for us to have him throwing the ball well right now.”

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CHICAGO -- Donnie Veal made a guarantee just prior to having Tommy John surgery on his left elbow in June of 2010.

“I'll be back," Veal told the Pittsburg Post-Gazette in 2010. “I’ll come back even stronger, ready to pitch.”

Veal’s road to recovery hasn’t been easy, but two-plus years after making that statement he has returned as good as he’s ever been.

Veal has been the Chicago White Sox’s go-to lefty bullpen specialist since being called up from Triple-A Charlotte in early August, allowing no hits, one walk and striking 11 hitters in 20 plate appearances against lefties this season. Overall, he’s allowed two hits and one run and has a 1.00 ERA in nine innings and 14 appearances.

“I feel like you appreciate it more,” Veal of being in the majors prior to Tuesday’s game. “It has been a hard road, and it’s not easy. You’re not a first-rounder, got up here in half a season or something like that. It’s been awhile and had my ups and downs.”

Veal’s career has been full of twists and turns. He was originally drafted by the White Sox in the 12th round of the 2003 draft out of high school, but he opted to attend college at Arizona. He was drafted again by the Chicago Cubs in the second round in 2005.

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The Chicago White Sox recalled left-handed reliever Donnie Veal from Triple-A Charlotte, taking the roster spot of outfielder Jordan Danks, who was optioned on Sunday.

Veal, who made two relief appearances with the White Sox during a stint from July 19-22, is 7-3 with a 2.08 ERA in 35 games with Charlotte.

The Chicago White Sox optioned left-hander Donnie Veal to Triple-A Charlotte after Sunday’s 6-4 loss to the Detroit Tigers.

Veal, 27, made two scoreless appearances, including one Sunday, and recorded three strikeouts with the White Sox this season.

The White Sox will make a corresponding roster move prior to Monday’s series opener against the Minnesota Twins.

The Chicago White Sox called up left-handed pitcher Donnie Veal from Triple-A Charlotte a day after optioning Pedro Hernandez, who was hit hard in his major league debut against the Boston Red Sox on Wednesday.

The 27-year-old Veal, who was a second-round draft choice of the Chicago Cubs in 2005, is 6-3 with a 2.08 ERA in 29 relief appearances at Charlotte. Veal appeared in 19 games with the Pittsburgh Pirates in 2009.

He will be the 21st pitcher to make the White Sox’s 25-man roster this season.

Hernandez, who was called up on Wednesday, allowed 12 hits and eight runs in four innings in a 10-1 loss to the Red Sox.

CHICAGO -- The Chicago White Sox signed two free-agent left-handers Thursday, both of whom would be a long shot to break camp with the team out of spring training.

Donnie Veal, 27, and Jose Quintana, 22, will at least be given a chance to impress the major-league coaching staff when pitchers and catchers report to Glendale, Ariz., in February.

The moves follow the re-signing earlier in the week of third baseman Dallas McPherson, who played most of the past season at Triple-A Charlotte, but had a brief stint with the White Sox.

Veal, a second-round draft pick by the Cubs in 2005, has posted a 3.86 ERA in 140 career minor-league appearances (113 starts). He was in the Pittsburgh Pirates organization since 2009 and pitched in 19 games last season after returning from Tommy John surgery in May.

Quintana, who was first signed by the New York Mets in April of 2006, went 10-2 with a 2.91 ERA in 30 appearances (14 starts) at Single-A Tampa in the New York Yankees system. In 82 appearances (41 starts) over five minor-league seasons, Quintana has posted a 2.76 ERA.