The White Sox will be without an important piece to their bullpen for a while after left-hander Garrett Crochet landed on the 10-day injured list with an upper back strain.
The Sox also announced before their doubleheader with the Tigers on Thursday that center fielder Luis Robert has been reinstated from the injured list. Robert wasn’t feeling well Monday and was sidelined for precautionary reasons. After passing tests for the coronavirus, he is ready to go and will play in the second game Thursday, manager Tony La Russsa said.
“I feel much better, no headache or fever, the only thing is my body feels a little lethargic from being in bed but I will be good to go today,” Robert said through translator Billy Russo.
The Sox also recalled infielder Danny Mendick from the Schaumburg training facility to serve as the 27th man for today’s seven-inning games. Having called up right-hander Alex McRae this week, the Sox have eight relievers, as usual, in the bullpen.
Crochet, 21, has owns a 1.00 ERA over nine innings with eight strikeouts in eight relief appearances. He was the Sox’ first-round draft choice in 2020. He hasn’t touched the 100-mph velocity levels he showcased last season.
“There were times during spring training when he didn’t feel like his delivery was all together,” La Russa said Thursday. “He could get a little cranky but it’s something that has progressed with time. More than anything else it’s precaution to back off now. We feel confident 10 days from now it will solve it. Just getting his delivery together where it’s nice and smooth.”
Robert is batting .305/.356/.463 with eight doubles, one triple and one home run over 21 games. Mendick is hitting .375/.524/.375 in eight games.
