TORONTO — The White Sox placed shortstop Tim Anderson on the 10-day injured list Tuesday (retroactive to May 30) with a strained right groin and reinstated outfielder Luis Robert from the COVID-19 related injury list.
Anderson suffered the injury making a play in the field in the Sox’ 5-2 victory over the Cubs Sunday.
The Sox announced the moves hours before their game against the Blue Jays in Toronto Tuesday night, which opens a three-game series and six-game road trip that continues against the Rays. Manager Tony La Russa said Anderson was headed to the IL on Sunday. Anderson was further evaluated and underwent an MRI Monday, but no further details about the severity of Anderson’s injury were immediately provided by the Sox.
No matter how long or brief Anderson is out, the loss will be significant. The All-Star and former batting champion is batting .356/.393/.503 with five homers, nine doubles, 19 RBI and eight stolen bases in 40 games this season. Anderson leads the major leagues with nine errors but has has played 16 straight games without one, and 26 of his last 27 games have been error-free with numerous excellent, rangy plays sprinkled in.
Robert, 24, is not in the starting lineup Tuesday. He was placed on the injured list on May 24. He is batting .285/.319/.438 with six home runs, 17 RBI, six stolen bases and 21 runs scored in 33 games this season. Robert and Anderson are the Sox’ top offensive producers for a .500 team struggling offensively.
On Monday, the Sox put starting pitcher Dylan Cease and reliever Kendall Graveman on the restricted list. The Canadian government requires entrants to be vaccinated for COVID-19 at least 14 days prior to entry.
Cease started against the Cubs Sunday and wouldn’t have pitched in Toronto, but the Sox can’t replace him on the active roster because he pitched more than four consecutive innings Sunday against the Cubs. Cease would not have pitched in the series after starting Sunday, but the Sox will play the first two games of the Jays series with 25 players, not 26.
As part of MLB’s health and safety protocols, jointly agreed upon by MLB and the Players Association, a pitcher who has pitched at least four consecutive innings in a game may not be replaced on the active roster unless three days have elapsed.
