MINNEAPOLIS — It never ends.
Catcher Yasmani Grandal has a torn tendon in his left knee, the White Sox said Tuesday, the latest in the team’s ongoing string of injuries plaguing it this season. The Sox said Grandal will miss approximately four to six weeks.
Triple-A catcher Seby Zavala was recalled from Charlotte to back up Zack Collins, who will take on the bulk of catching duties.
Grandal, 32, left the Sox’ 8-5 loss to the Twins Monday during his sixth-inning at-bat. Batting right-handed, he spun from the batter’s box after checking his swing, fell to the ground and was in crutches after the game.
Some believed Grandal, despite a batting average below .200, was worthy of making the All-Star team. He is hitting .188/.388/.436 with 60 walks, an .824 OPS and 14 home runs in 63 games. He is the Sox’ highest paid player, in the second year of a four-year, $73 million contract.
Grandal joins, outfielders Luis Robert and Eloy Jimenez and second baseman Nick Madrigal among the team’s expected starting nine coming out of spring training who are now on the IL. Relievers Evan Marshall and Aaron Bummer and infielder/outfielder Jake Lamb are also on the IL. Right fielder Adam Eaton, shortstop Tim Anderson and right-handers Lance Lynn and Michael Kopech have also gone on the IL.
Yoan Moncada and Jose Abreu have also missed time due to injuries. Through it all, the Sox (49-35) entered Tuesday leading the Indians by six games in the AL Central.
“It’s only as difficult as you allow it to be,” manager Tony La Russa said. “We control our minds and our hearts. If we want to act frustrated and discouraged and that we’ve been unlucky, then we’re going to lose an edge.”
La Russa didn’t dismiss the possibility of a veteran being acquired, but spoke well Zavala’s pitch-calling and and handling pitchers. Zavala, 27, is batting .178 (21-for-118) with five home runs for Charlotte. He made his debut with the Sox in 2019, going 1-for-12 in five games.
La Russa said Zavala will catch Lance Lynn in the series finale Wednesday.
Grandal missed two games experiencing soreness in the calf during a game Friday in Detroit and said Saturday he was well enough to catch. The Sox announced that he strained his calf when came out of Monday’s game.
“I just think it was the twist he made as he made his swing,” La Russa said. “Something got caught. It didn’t free up. You make a turn on it and it got caught and something popped.”
Grandal returned to Chicago.
“I’m anxious to get the full diagnosis,” La Russa said. “The expectation is that he’s going to be out for a significant period.”
Rest for TA
Anderson got the night off to refresh, La Russa said.
If you watch him, a little less pep in his step, and that’s only because his gas tank’s getting a little [empty]. You’ve got to take care, preserve these guys.”
*Bummer, who threw a bullpen Tuesday, is eligible to come off the IL this weekend.
The quote
Wednesday starter and and All-Star Lynn on playing on the South Side: “Living in the suburbs of (the) Indianapolis area, the South Side has a tendency to be a little bit more of a home feeling for me than any other place I’ve played. I’m really enjoying it.”
