It only took two games but it looks like the White Sox might have another injury to a significant contributor. Right fielder, AJ Pollock left Saturday’s game against the Tigers early with tightness in his right hamstring.
The White Sox’s newest member was making quite the first impression with his new club. In his first game in a White Sox uniform, he recorded three hits, an RBI, and a run scored.
He picked up right where he left off on Saturday. Pollock led off the top of the third innings by ripping a single to center field. It looked like the ball might have been deep enough to try and stretch a single into a double. He made a hard turn around first base but came up lame and walked gingerly back to first while grimacing in pain. Andrew Vaughn replaced him as a pinch-runner and Pollock exited to the clubhouse.
Pollock has a history of being injury-prone. In Los Angels he earned the nickname “bird bones”.
In the last four seasons, Pollock has fractured his left thumb and dealt with an elbow issue that landed him on the 60-day injured list. He has also dealt with a right hand, groin, knee, and back injuries. Last season he had hamstring trouble and was placed on the 10-day injury list twice.
It looks like the same hamstring could be acting up. If so, this could be a big blow to the White Sox lineup.
The 34-year old veteran was brought in to be a stabilizing force in right field. Last season he hit .297 with 21 home runs. After the All-Star break, he hit .324 and at times was the Dodgers’ most productive player. Over the past two seasons, Pollock has manufactured an OPS+ of 135 and 37 home runs.
The injury comes just one day after the White Sox lost Lucas Giolito to an abdominal strain. Tony La Russa said Giolito is headed to the IL. Pollock was initially scheduled to go on paternity leave following Sunday’s game for the birth of his second child. He will be evaluated before determining whether will miss any more time.
