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Chicago Sun-Times
Chicago Sun-Times
National
Daryl Van Schouwen

White Sox reinstate center fielder Luis Robert from IL

Luis Robert watches his two-run home run against the Twins Wednesday, July 6, 2022, in Chicago. (AP Photo/Paul Beaty) (AP Photos)

The White Sox activated center fielder Luis Robert from the 10-day injured list about an hour and a half before their game Tuesday against the Royals, but he wasn’t in the starting lineup.

Robert has been out since July 15 and has played only one rehab game at Triple-A Charlotte — as the designated hitter Friday. He took batting practice Tuesday and will be available to play Wednesday.

‘‘Over the course of the next seven to 10 days, at least through the doubleheader in Kansas City next [Wednesday], we’re going to have to govern his usage a little bit,’’ general manager Rick Hahn said.

Robert, who was on the IL with light-headedness and blurred vision, also had been dealing with cold symptoms since last weekend, but the symptoms have gone away, Hahn said.

‘‘I believe he was suffering the effects of a virus, probably a not very satisfying way of saying it,’’ Hahn said. ‘‘But the reality is, he did have a couple of vitamin deficiencies that we’ve been able to address that have been linked to causing his symptoms. Fortunately, those symptoms have resolved.’’

Robert is hitting .301 with 12 home runs, 54 RBI and 11 stolen bases in 74 games. He has been through a battery of tests that ruled out serious issues.

‘‘There’s a confidence this is behind him and he’ll be able to continue on as if nothing has happened,’’ Hahn said.

Roster moves

In addition to adding Robert to the active roster, the Sox activated left-hander Jake Diekman, whom they acquired from the Red Sox in a trade Monday for catcher Reese McGuire.

They also made four other roster moves, claiming right-hander Tobias Myers off waivers from the Giants and assigning him to Charlotte; returning infielder Jake Burger (wrist) from his rehab assignment and optioning him to Charlotte; optioning right-hander Davis Martin to Charlotte; and sending right-hander Vince Velasquez (blister) on a rehab assignment to Charlotte.

Diekman likes to work

Diekman entered the day eighth in the majors among relievers with 44 appearances. He made his 45th — and first for the Sox — with a 1-2-3 sixth inning including two strikeouts.

‘‘My goal is to pitch as much as possible,’’ he said. ‘‘I feel you earn your paycheck that way. If they want to throw me 70 times, then do it.’’

Diekman, 35, has appeared in 60-plus games six times and 70-plus three times.

After losing Garrett Crochet for the season to Tommy John surgery and Aaron Bummer till September with a strained lat, the Sox have been getting by with Tanner Banks as the only left-hander on the staff.

Cease is Pitcher of the Month — again

Right-hander Dylan Cease was named the American League Pitcher of the Month for July. He is the first Sox pitcher to win the honor in consecutive months.

Cease went 5-1 with a 0.76 ERA and 40 strikeouts in July, with all three runs he allowed coming on solo home runs. He led the AL in ERA and victories and tied for fifth in strikeouts in the month.

Cease gave up one earned run or fewer in all six of his starts in July and has done so in 12 consecutive starts since May 29, joining the Mets’ Jacob deGrom (2021) as the only starters since 1913 to accomplish that feat.

Cease (11-4, 2.01 ERA) was overlooked for the All-Star Game but is a top AL Cy Young Award candidate.

‘‘I try not to think too far ahead like that,’’ Cease said. ‘‘But I think I’m probably putting myself at least in the running.’’

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