White Sox second baseman Nick Madrigal underwent surgery Tuesday to repair the proximal tendon tears in his right hamstring and will be out for the remainder of the season, the team announced.
The procedure was performed by doctors Nik Verma and Shane Nho at Rush University Medical Center in Chicago. Madrigal is expected to be without restrictions by spring 2022.
Madrigal suffered the injury running out a ground ball in a game against Blue Jays on Wednesday. The Sox said the following day that surgery was a possibility and expected him to miss most of the season, at least.
Madrigal batted .305 with two homers, 10 doubles, four triples, 21 RBI and 30 runs scored over 54 games this season, his second with the Sox. He ranked sixth in the American League in average at the time of the injury and batted .365/.420/.568 over his last 20 games.
Danny Mendick has been the primary replacement in Madrigal’s absence. Leury Garcia
“It clears away the uncertainty, he can put it behind him and start fresh,” manager Tony La Russa said.
The Sox also lost outfielders Eloy Jimenez (torn pectoral muscle) and Luis Robert (strained hip flexor) for extended time. Jimenez has been out since spring training and started baseball activities at the team’s complex in Arizona, the team announced Monday, but will be out till August, at the earliest. There is no timetable on Robert’s return.
La Russa said right-hander Michael Kopech is throwing off a mound Tuesday to test his hamstring. Kopech hasn’t pitched since May 26 due to a strain. The Sox must decide whether he can get enough work in bullpens and a simulated game action while with the team or whether a stint with a minor league affiliate is the next course of action.
“Whatever is the next major test, you evaluate how he feels during, after and tomorrow,” La Russa said. “Answer will be tomorrow, but today is a big day.
“He’s a major weapon. [We’ll] be very careful, take as much time as he needs.”
