"J.J. Putz's recent scoreless streak has coincided with the White Sox's resurgence.

That turnaround has included Putz occasionally returning to the closer role and earning two saves in as many opportunities.

It also has given him the itch to regain the role he held in Seattle, but he knows that won't happen on a full-time basis this season.

"Whenever I do get the opportunity to (save games), I definitely cherish it because it is the best thing for a reliever to do," said Putz, who saved 76 games with the Mariners in 2006 and '07. "After this year, we'll see what happens. But I'm not too concerned with what's going to happen next year."

Putz, 33, will be a free agent in the offseason. This season has given him a chance to recover from right elbow surgery and re-establish his credentials with a contending team.

"It's definitely fallen into place," said Putz, who hasn't allowed a run in 18 consecutive appearances and hasn't allowed a run on the road in 16 innings.

Putz also likes the bullpen depth that has allowed him to save games on occasion and has prevented closer Bobby Jenks, Matt Thornton, Sergio Santos and himself from getting taxed."