"Adam Dunn was out of the White Sox' starting lineup again Sunday, and that still wasn't a bad thing as the South Siders closed out a sweep of the Minnesota Twins at Target Field with the 7-0 victory.

The Sox are now 11-10 when their big-ticket free-agent acquisition is greeting teammates in the dugout rather than haunting them with his .163 batting average. Manager Ozzie Guillen is giving Dunn another "mental break,'' but he's not sure how long it will last.

Guillen did say that it would benefit Dunn to show up to spring training next year in baseball shape.

"I think you learn with a cost,'' Guillen said. "You learn what happens. Before, when you have a good career and you do one thing, nothing. And you come out and resolve your problem, fine. But I think he should learn his lesson. He has to stay in shape now. He's not 22 years old anymore. He's playing in a league that requires more physical and mental things. I don't care what people say. National League pitching isn't the same as the American League pitching. I doubt that."