Garcia still nursing hamstring
White Sox right fielder Avisail
Garcia plans to do some running — in a swimming pool, not on a baseball field— Wednesday, one month to the day after he injured his right hamstring while digging down the first- base line during a game at Guaranteed Rate Field.
That’s already a lot longer than Garcia expected to be out when he went on the 10- day disabled list April 24, and his return to the lineup appears to still be several weeks away. Garcia estimated before Tuesday’s 3- 2 victory over the Orioles that it could be a week and a half before he returns to baseball activities. A minorleague rehab assignment would be necessary.
“No one likes to be injured, especially position players playing every day,” he said. “I don’t like to watch the game. I mean, I like it, but I like it [ better] when I’m playing. So it is what it is. I’m just watching, learning more because we’re learning every single day. . . . I will be back for sure, and stronger.”
A first- time All- Star in 2017, when he hit .330 with 18 home runs and 80 RBI, Garcia struggled mightily before going on the shelf this season. In 18 games and 76 plate appearances, he hit .233 with one homer and four RBI.
“A slow start,” he said. “I was feeling better a couple of games before I got the injury. I was seeing the ball better, but baseball is like, sometimes you start good [ and] sometimes you start slow. It is what it is. We’ve got to make adjustments as a team and try to get better every single day. But, you know, that happens. I’ve just got to come back now and make adjustments and help my team win.”
According to Garcia, a third platelet- rich plasma injection, shortly after Memorial Day, will be part of his recuperation. He received his second PRP shot since the injury Monday.
Daniel Palka, who was promoted from Class AAA Charlotte when Garcia went on the DL, has started 17 games, 12 of them in right field, in his first major- league action.
“He’s strong, Garcia said. He’s strong and a good player, so he’s here to help us like all the guys here.”
Not his night
Shortstop TimAnderson didn’t appear in a game for the first time this season, and it was only his second non- start of the year. He also didn’t start the final game of the last road trip, May 16 in Pittsburgh.
“Give him a little break,” manager Rick Renteria said. “His legs have been a little tired. He’s a little banged up, so trying to give him a little break. Maybe just a day.”
We’ve seen this before
No Sox hitter is hotter than Jose Abreu, who is hitting .389 with nine doubles and 13 RBI in his last 15 games. He had two more hits Tuesday, giving himmultiple hits in 14 of his last 18 games against the Orioles.