The Chicago White Sox can now add Tim Anderson to the long list of casualties bitten by the injury bug this season.
During Sunday’s game against the Chicago Cubs, Anderson fielded a ball up the middle in the seventh inning off the bat of P.J. Higgins. As he faded into center field to make the throw he landed awkwardly and fell to the ground in pain. Anderson needed assistance from two trainers as he limped off the field. It appears to be a groin strain.
He recorded a hit and a stolen base before leaving the game. Danny Mendick was thrust into the game as a replacement at shortstop. Mendick finished the game with two hits in relief duty. The White Sox were able to salvage a 5-4 win in the 12th inning after a walk-off single from Jake Burger.
Anderson will undergo further evaluation on Monday. If the injury is serious this could be a devastating blow for the White Sox. Anderson is the spark plug for the offense and usually sets the tone for the rest of the lineup.
After Sunday’s victory, the team is 124-89 in games when Anderson is in the lineup. They are just 28-28 when he does not play.Anderson has arguably been the best shortstop in baseball this season. Entering Sunday’s game he was batting .354/.392/.503 in 39 games.
He has the fourth-highest batting average in the MLB. His 58 hits are the fifth highest in the MLB while his eight stolen bases rank 10th. After a rocky start, his fielding has been much improved over the past two weeks.
If the injury is serious he will join Lance Lynn, Luis Robert, and Eloy Jimenez on the IL.
