Anderson said that sometimes it’s good to just watch the game, but after two days out his energy and spirit were back up.
Friday was eventful for White Sox shortstop Tim Anderson.
Not only were the Sox’ “City Connect” uniforms unveiled in the morning, he was penciled in to return to the lineup for the rain-delayed matchup with the Orioles after missing two games with a sore left thumb. And the Sox were giving away a bobblehead with his likeness for the first of two days.
“It turned out real great,” Anderson said. “I’m very pleased with it. It shows exactly what I’m doing and what I did. I’m definitely happy with it.”
The bobblehead depicts an Anderson bat flip, and the Sox shortstop called the finished product “dope.” Due to the COVID-19 pandemic, the promotion was not held in 2020.
“Hopefully we can finally get them to the people and everyone is excited,” Anderson said. “It’s pretty cool. I have one and they are pretty dope.”
Perhaps of more concern to the Sox is how Anderson was feeling physically.
Anderson said after two days to reset during a busy stretch for the Sox, he was ready to play. He said that sometimes it’s good to just watch the game, but after two days out his energy and spirit were back up.
The left thumb soreness bothered Anderson when he tried to grip the bat, but the time away was helpful.
“I couldn’t really get that feeling,” Anderson said. “Those two days of rest and our training staff did a great job getting treatment. Those two days definitely helped me and I feel like I’m back in the spot where I need to be.”
Vaughn’s move up
With Yoan Moncada getting a scheduled day off, the Sox needed a No. 3 hitter.
Enter Andrew Vaughn.
For the first time this season, manager Tony La Russa placed the rookie Vaughn into the third slot. Before Friday only three Sox players (Moncada, Jose Abreu, Luis Robert) had hit in that spot, with Moncada starting every game there since April 20.
Vaughn hadn’t hit higher than fifth, and has had most of his starts in the seventh position (15).
“You try to keep as many guys in the spots that they’ve been,” La Russa said. “Andrew’s bounced around between fifth, sixth, seventh and the third spot was open. He’s swinging well.”
Vaughn is indeed swinging well.
Entering Friday, Vaughn was 6 for 16 with two home runs over his last five games, with his power stroke starting to emerge.
“He’s not afraid, which is good,” La Russa said. “Loves the challenge.”
Adam Eaton (right hamstring tightness) also wasn’t in the lineup, with Jake Lamb taking his place in right field and batting sixth.
Kopech update
Michael Kopech remains away from the team on bereavement leave, but La Russa said he exchanged texts with the hard-throwing righthander. La Russa reported that Kopech (left hamstring soreness) said his leg is feeling better.
The Sox, La Russa said, will have a better idea of how Kopech is doing when he returns to the team Sunday.
There is one thing La Russa is sure of: that Kopech won’t start one of the games of Monday’s doubleheader against Cleveland.
“I don’t think there’s any chance, no,” La Russa said. “One thing, he’s been out of the uniform with that bereavement. No, that one I’m sure about.“
from Chicago Sun-Times - All https://ift.tt/3wCUib9
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