After “being a little bit tight in the hammies” and getting four days rest to get his valuable legs fresh, shortstop Tim Anderson should be back in the White Sox lineup Wednesday.
The Sox were a .500 team without him entering Tuesday’s game against the Blue Jays in Toronto. So he will be a welcome sight.
Watching the Sox lose three in a row without him while he rested his sore legs didn’t look good from the dugout and for Anderson, “it doesn’t feel good” knowing he’s not helping. But the Sox led the AL Central by nine games are are “just being smart,” Anderson said.
Without Anderson, the Sox found their energy elsewhere, and quickly against right-hander Jose Berrios. Luis Robert and Yoan Moncada singled and Jose Abreu homered, giving the Sox a 3-0 lead five pitches into the game.
“We all know what the ultimate goal is, all our eyes on October,” Anderson said. “But you know man, it’s tough, knowing the team’s needing me out there. I want to be out there. I just try to root the guys on and tell them I’ll be back.”
Anderson and manager Tony La Russa suggested Anderson might be available to pinch hit Tuesday, and La Russa sounded like he expects Anderson to start Wednesday in the third game of a four-game series. Robert led off in Anderson’s customary lineup spot Tuesday and LaRussa said against left-hander Robbie Ray Wednesday, Anderson would lead off and Robert would bat second. That is, if Anderson plays, as expected.
The Sox miss Anderson’s energy and leadership.
“Tim was one of the guys early on made the commitment to how far we could go,” La Russa said. “And we’ve talked about it before, when your best players are the most committed, then everybody gets a boost. He’s infectious.”
The Sox are 18 games above .500 with Anderson in the lineup.
“It could be coincidence but Tim brings the numbers, the hits, clutch hits to the offense,” pitcher Lucas Giolito said. “But the energy and swagger he brings is infectious. It spreads around the dugout and to the other guys on the field. He’s always, always with the attitude of ‘we’re not out of this no matter what, we’ll make something happen this inning.’ He’s invaluable to our team.”
Leury returns
Leury Garcia was returned from the concussion injured list and right-hander Ryan Burr was optioned to Class-A Charlotte. Garcia, hurt during the Field of Dreams game 12 days ago, started at second base giving Cesar Hernandez a day off.
No comment
La Russa again declined to comment about Lance Lynn’s 3-0 pitch to Vladimir Guerrero Jr with first base open in a 2-1 loss to the Blue Jays Monday, which Guerrero lined for a tying single with two outs. Toronto TV cameras captured La Russa having strong words for rookie catcher Sevy Zavala, perhaps for not looking into the dugout for an intentional walk sign. Lynn said he was not trying to throw a strike.
“I know there has been video about what was going on in the dugout, before the pitch, after the pitch, all that,” La Russa said. “I’m not going to comment on it. Period. I will add one thing — that might be the first time I don’t answer a question. But I’m not going to answer that one.”
