Loss of Robert Adds to White Sox Injury Woes

Injuries have been a problem for the early playoff favorite Chicago White Sox to start the year. Eloy Jiménez suffered a ruptured left pectoral tendon during a Spring Training game. Jace Fry was placed on the 60-day Injured List (IL) while he continues to recover from back surgery. Adam Engel and fireballer Garrett Crochet are currently listed on the 10-day IL. On Sunday, young Sox Gold Glover Luis Robert suffered a hip strain while stretching a ground ball into an infield single during a 5-0 loss to the Cleveland squad. He was unable to remain in the game. The team later provided the following update:

Right hip flexor strain for Luis Robert.

X-rays are negative and he will be further evaluated tomorrow.

— Chicago White Sox (@whitesox) May 2, 2021

Sox manager Tony LaRussa expects Robert will be placed on the 10-day IL. This is of course another major loss for the team, which is currently 1.5 games behind the 1st place Kansas City Royals. He has been a major producer for the team in 2021, hitting .309/.353/.457. His 132 OPS+ ranks third on the Chisox, behind star rookie Yermin Mercedes (202) and Silver Slugger Award winner Tim Anderson (140). With six of the next 11 games will be against Kansas City, this team faces a major test of their resilience in the coming weeks. The Sox have yet to see production from reigning MVP José Abreu and Yasmani Grandal that meets expectation for these players (97 and 78 OPS+, respectively), but there is plenty of time for them to improve as the weather gets warmer.

Next up for the Southsiders is a two-game interleague series against the Cincinnati Reds starting on Tuesday at 6:40 PM ET. Dylan Cease (1-0, 2.96 ERA) will face Jeff Hoffman (2-1, 3.33 ERA).

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