The Chicago White Sox had their worst defensive game of the season in their series opener against the Minnesota Twins on Monday and one bad play led to an awkward collision that eventually forced shortstop Tim Anderson to exit early.
In the fourth inning, the Twins had runners at first and second with one out and center fielder Michael A. Taylor at the plate. The right-handed hitter hit a slow chopper to Hanser Alberto at third base, who threw to second base for the second out of the inning. Matt Wallner, who was the runner at second, was caught between second and third. What should have been the final out of the fourth inning, ended up with a bad throw from Alberto to Anderson, who was covering third base.
Wallner clipped Anderson as he scrambled to the third base bag and the White Sox shortstop went down grabbing at his left knee.
White Sox fans probably had a collective panic attack as soon as Anderson reached for his knee, but he did stay in the game and got the final out of the fourth inning, throwing out Jose Miranda, who hit a grounder to Anderson.
However, after coming back to shortstop in the fifth, Anderson was replaced in the sixth inning by Elvis Andrus at shortstop, while Romy Gonzalez came into the game to take over second base for Andrus.
The White Sox announced that Anderson was taken out because of a sore knee.
Now, that should be a sigh of relief for White Sox fans, but yet again, we are talking about the Chicago White Sox who have to be one of the most unlucky teams in the past three years or so when it comes to injuries.
It’s possible that the White Sox end up doing some more tests, like an MRI, to make sure there isn’t any structural damage, but we won’t know that until at least after the end of Monday’s game against the Twins.
The White Sox have already placed two players on the injured list this season, with right-handed hitter Eloy Jimenez getting shut down for a couple of weeks because of a hamstring strain. He was placed on the injured list after the team’s home opener last Monday.
Prior to Monday’s game in Minnesota, right-handed relief pitcher Joe Kelly went on the 15-day injured list because of a right groin strain.
The White Sox do not have a lot of depth to fall back on if they suffer anymore injuries and hopefully Tim Anderson does only have a sore knee and nothing else because the team’s lineup drastically changes without him at the top. If Anderson has to miss any time, then Elvis Andrus will fill in at shortstop, while Hanser Alberto and Romy Gonzalez will then slide in at second base. You would fine on the defensive side, but again, the offense would get worse without Anderson if he’s out any length of time.
White Sox fans are hoping it doesn’t get to that.
One trend I am noticing that’s different from the previous manager, is Pedro has no problem pulling players who are hurting the team. He quickly got rid of Jose Ruiz. Today, he pulled Sheets after he made two blunders on the same play; almost costing the team a win. That’s what accountability looks like and I love it.
good