MINNEAPOLIS -- Roger Clemens' much-ballyhooed return to the Majors with the Yankees has been tentatively set for Monday at U.S. Cellular Field, a game to be carried on ESPN and scheduled to begin a four-game series between New York and the White Sox.

Mark down Jon Garland as one individual bearing witness to the national hoopla who won't really care. It's not that Garland doesn't have a great deal of respect for Clemens' stellar 24-year career and his seven Cy Young Awards. It's just that Garland has to worry about Derek Jeter, Alex Rodriguez and Jorge Posada as the White Sox starter on that particular evening.

"He doesn't step in the box, I don't step in the box," said Garland of starting opposite of Clemens amidst the watchful eyes of millions across the country. "I have to go out and get those guys out and give my team a chance to win the ballgame.

"The hype is going to be around him, not me. He's making the big return and trying to be the savior for the Yankees and the big deal they are making that to be. I know it's not going to bother him for what he's done in his career and for how long he has been around. It is what is and we will wait and see what happens."

Clemens pitched on Memorial Day for Scranton/Wilkes-Barre, the Yankees' Triple-A affiliate, and would next be on turn to work this weekend at Fenway Park. But indications from the Yankees are that Clemens will work an extra side session and be set for Monday in Chicago.

When Clemens last worked at U.S. Cellular Field, he was starting for Houston in Game 1 of the World Series. Having pitched in the World Series himself, not to mention posting 39 victories over the last three years, should help Garland avoid getting caught up in Monday's hype.

According to Garland, he doesn't need any extra reason other than doing his job.

"What's there to be caught up in? The game doesn't change," Garland said. "I still have to get three outs in the inning and throw strikes and try to go as deep in the game as I possibly can."

Turning the corner: By Scott Podsednik's estimation, he made more progress in the past five or six days where his strained right adductor is concerned than he did in the sum total of the past two weeks.

"This week I gained quite a bit of strength down there," Podsednik said. "I think that this week is going to be a real big week for us. I can tell that it's getting stronger.

"I'm probably running at 80 percent. It will probably take a week or two to get up to 100 percent, gain a little more strength, and then we will test it out."

In a statement released by the White Sox training staff Tuesday, Podsednik was characterized as making excellent strides. His functional activities (running, baserunning, fly balls) are accelerating, and the team's hope is that Podsednik will go on a Minor League rehab assignment shortly after the conclusion of this seven-game road trip.

An MRI exam will take place before Podsednik leaves, which could take place as soon as Monday. Nothing has been officially set.

"We're getting closer," Podsednik said. "I don't know exactly when. We are gaining little ground day by day. It's still tough to say exactly when that time is going to be. I will tell you that time is going to be when my leg is ready."

Podsednik's Minor League rehab assignment figures to take a little bit longer than the previous ones employed to test the preparedness of Jim Thome and Toby Hall. In Podsednik's case, running the bases will be as important as hitting the baseball.

"One of my important tools is being able to run on the basepaths," Podsednik said. "I would probably say if I get good at-bats and I feel like I'm ready offensively, but I haven't had any breaks or jumps on the basepaths, it might be worth waiting one or two more days to get a couple of jumps."

"You can see him running and jogging and doing different sorts of things, but if you ask him right now, 'Can you steal a base for us?' he's going to say no," added White Sox manager Ozzie Guillen of Podsednik. "In the meanwhile, hopefully, he gets ready soon because we can use him."

Rules of the dome: Torii Hunter's home run robbery of Thome in the eighth inning Monday probably would be considered a 5 on a scale of 1 to 10 on Hunter's extensive highlight reel. But White Sox catcher A.J. Pierzynski, Hunter's former teammate, believes Thome's solid contact off of the seemingly unhittable Johan Santana should have been good enough for an automatic hit.

"I told Jim, 'You hit the ball that far against Johan, it should automatically count,'" said Pierzynski of Thome's blast to left-center. "They should put a net up there so Torii can't catch it."

Around the horn: Although Josh Fields has played three games recently at shortstop for Triple-A Charlotte, it's more out of necessity with Andy Gonzalez getting the call to the Majors. "I hope we never have to put Fields at shortstop, ever, when he's here," said Guillen with a smile. "If he's the shortstop, we are in trouble." Major League promotions and injuries also have forced catcher Gustavo Molina to play three games at third base for the Knights. ... Alex Cintron started at second and hit second on Tuesday, a move designed to give the utility infielder extra at-bats, get another left-handed hitter in the lineup against Boof Bonser and give Tadahito Iguchi a sort of mental health day. ... The 31 hits allowed by White Sox pitchers during Sunday and Monday's losses were the most given up in back-to-back games since July 29-30, 2006, at Baltimore (32).

Down on the farm: Craig Wilson picked up one hit in four at-bats during his first game with Charlotte, as the Knights dropped a 4-1 decision to Louisville. Fields has now reached base in 25 straight games, extending his streak with a double. ... Kris Honel gave up six runs on six hits over 1 2/3 innings, during Double-A Birmingham's 10-3 loss to Jacksonville. Honel slipped to 2-2 with a 4.83 ERA. ... Micah Schnurstein had three hits, including his 13th home run, in Class A Winston-Salem's 8-4 loss to Myrtle Beach.

On deck: Wednesday afternoon's series finale marks the first 2007 start against Minnesota for Garland (3-3, 3.43). The right-hander ranks ninth in the American League with a .230 opponents' average against and has a 5-4 record with a 3.50 ERA lifetime in the Metrodome.