"Manager Ozzie Guillen took the first step toward shaking up an inconsistent White Sox roster by temporarily benching struggling shortstop Alexei Ramirez.

Ramirez, the runner-up to Tampa Bay's Evan Longoria in the 2008 American League Rookie of the Year balloting, is batting .211 and hasn't adjusted to Guillen's liking.

"I'm not going to say this is the doghouse," Guillen said before Wednesday night's game against Detroit was postponed by rain. "I'm not going to say I'm punishing him for that. But we are letting people know, just not him. We have to play as a team."

The Sox kept their rotation intact so that Mark Buehrle will get another day of rest when he faces the Tigers, with Jose Contreras opening the Texas series Friday night. Wednesday's game will be rescheduled at a later date.

Replacing Ramirez is Jayson Nix, who hasn't played shortstop since his first pro season at Casper in 2001 but has impressed Guillen with a .429 batting average and quality at-bats since coming off the disabled list Friday.

"I never fall in love with any players until they show me they can play in the big leagues," Guillen said. "But he's got two games, and every at-bat, this kid fights. He might not get a hit, but he will fight."

Giving Nix a chance at shortstop could be interpreted as a message to Brent Lillibridge, who made the Opening Day roster primarily because of his ability to play short as well as second base and center field. Lillibridge is batting .167 with 15 strikeouts in 48 at-bats.

The change comes after the Sox blew two four-run leads and walked 11 batters in an 8-7 loss at Kansas City in 11 innings to cap their fourth consecutive loss.

"We got what we deserved, and we have to do better than that," Guillen said."