Expected to return Tuesday, Anderson will be eased back into the lineup.
Shortstop Tim Anderson should be back Tuesday, but that doesn’t mean he’ll play every day as soon as he returns.
Before Sunday’s game against the Red Sox, White Sox manager Tony La Russa said Anderson is expected to play Tuesday against the Angels. On the injured list since Sept. 1 (retroactive to Aug. 29) with a left hamstring strain, Anderson went through a vigorous pregame workout Sunday, testing the injury by running the bases.
“The key is his legs are such a critical part of his game,” La Russa said. “Whether it’s defense or offense, he tweaked it one time before and it was the same so we were being very super careful with it.”
That caution will continue once Anderson is activated.
La Russa said the Sox will break Anderson in “little by little,” like what they’ve done with Luis Robert and Eloy Jimenez after their injuries.
“It’ll be similar. Good analogy,” La Russa said. “Going to be even more careful with Tim because of his legs, hamstrings, for one thing. It will probably resemble something like spring training.”
Since Anderson was placed on the injured list, the Sox have gotten contributions from Leury Garcia and Danny Mendick. But neither are Anderson, one of the Sox’ best players and emotional leaders.
“No disrespect to them, but Tim is one of the best out there,” La Russa said. “When he plays, it helps spark everybody. Now, he’s doing it in the dugout as a cheerleader, but it’s not the same as when he plays. Getting him back will be a big boost for us.”
A good problem
Without Anderson, Robert has spent the bulk of the time leading off, hitting first nine times since Aug. 29. Now with Anderson on the verge of returning, La Russa has to figure out where to slot the red-hot Robert and Yoan Moncada, whose handling of the second spot has impressed his manager.
Does Robert move down? Does Moncada? Regardless of where La Russa lands, it sounds like a good problem to have.
“Point is Robert, has been so impressive this year,” La Russa said. “There’s a decision there, again too many good players.”
Grand Grandal
With his second-inning single, Yasmani Grandal got on base for a career-best 28th straight game. Entering Sunday, Grandal was hitting . 462 with six home runs in 12 games since returning from the injured list on Aug. 27.
Grandal, who played in his 1,000th career game Saturday, said he kept doing his homework even after undergoing knee surgery, and was reading reports like he was playing.
“You learn a lot just by watching,” Grandal said. “Sitting on the bench just watching taught me a lot. So the fact that I’m able to do what I’ve been doing, it’s great. We needed it.”
More injury updates
Rookie Andrew Vaughn (leg soreness) wasn’t available for the third straight game. La Russa said Vaughn began feeling the issue during the Oakland series, and that the team doesn’t know when he’ll be available again.
As for Adam Engel (left shoulder inflammation), La Russa said he’s doing well but could return sometime during the upcoming road trip that begins Friday at Texas. Through Saturday, Engel was 2 for 13 during a rehab stint at Triple-A Charlotte that began Sept. 7.
Up next
The starter for Tuesday’s opener against the Angels is listed as TBD, but that’s expected to be Lucas Giolito, who was placed on the IL on Sept. 3 (retroactive to Sept. 1) with a strained left hamstring. Dallas Keuchel is probable for Wednesday, while Reynaldo Lopez is slated to pitch Thursday.
from Chicago Sun-Times - All https://ift.tt/3Ea66WT
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