CHICAGO – Just days after the death of his father, Frank Thomas watched a TV replay of the play that ended his season, knowing he faces surgery for a torn triceps and a long rehabilitation.

	Frank Thomas will likely miss the rest of the season with a torn triceps muscle.

The pain just gets worse for the Big Hurt, whose life has been full of turmoil for several years.

"Sometimes, things in life can get worse," Thomas said. "This has really been a bad week, losing my father, who was my best friend, and then to come back and this happens. It's a character builder.

"I'll get over it, I'll get through it somehow, some way and be back and ready to play baseball next year."

The 32-year-old Thomas will have surgery next week. He hurt his triceps diving for a ground ball against Seattle on April 27 when he was making a rare appearance at first base.

Thomas has not played since he was hurt, and returned to the team Wednesday after spending five days in Columbus, Ga., following the death of his father.

Thomas took batting practice Wednesday, and an hour later his arm was swollen. An MRI on Thursday revealed a tear.

"The MRI showed a conclusive tear, although the size and the severity will only be determined and repaired by exploratory surgery," trainer Herm Schneider said. "

"We expect this to be season-ending."

Thomas, a two-time American League MVP, played in 20 games this season, with four homers and 10 RBI.

His slow start followed a big 2000 season when he batted .328 with 43 homers and 143 RBI, bouncing back from two subpar years full of personal problems, including a divorce and the death of his agent, Robert Fraley, in a plane crash.

Schneider and Thomas said they were both confident he could return next season and be an effective player again.

"What I've heard is that this injury is similar to an Achilles and it will take time to heal. I think they're saying seven or eight months," Thomas said.

Last week, teammate David Wells criticized Thomas for not playing hurt. Thomas responded that he didn't know Wells was a doctor. They've since settled the issue.

"We talked a couple of times," Thomas said, adding that there were other players in the clubhouse, like Wells, who doubted his injury.

"This time he was wrong and he knew he was wrong. There are no hard feelings."

After winning the AL Central last year, Chicago is off to a 12-20 start. In addition to losing Thomas on Thursday, the Sox also learned that left-hander Jim Parque, one of four pitchers on the disabled list, will have surgery on his left shoulder next week.

But Thomas is nearly irreplaceable, especially when he's hitting like he did last season.

"I feel for Frank because of the loss of his father more than any of this," said Cal Eldred, who is on the disabled list. "The team will go on and play and pick up the slack. But it may take a couple of guys to do that."

The White Sox called up Jeff Liefer from the minors to take Thomas' spot on the roster. Harold Baines, who is chasing 3,000 hits, will also get more time as the DH.

"We're not going to kid anyone. We cannot replace Frank Thomas," general manager Kenny Williams said.

Thomas created a stir this year in spring training when he skipped the first six days of voluntary full-squad workouts, unhappy with a clause in his contract.

He acknowledged when he returned that his reputation had been hurt, something he had hoped to rectify with another strong season.

Now he must wait.

"I've done a lot in this game," said Thomas, who entered the season with a .321 career batting average with 344 homers.

"I hope to continue to do a lot. I'm just going to have to have a little break here and get my arm back together and get ready to play next year."