Anderson returns; Garcia to IL
The White Sox activated shortstop Tim Anderson from the 10-day injured list, and he returned the lineup for their game Tuesday against the Tigers in Detroit.
On the same day, utility player Leury Garcia landed on the IL with a sprained left thumb. So it goes with the bruised and bandaged Sox.
Anderson was on the IL with a strained groin, an injury he suffered when he got his feet tangled up while fielding a ground ball during a game against the Royals.
Garcia had filled in admirably for Anderson at short and has been one of the Sox’ most consistently productive bats, but he sprained his thumb on a questionable headfirst slide into first base while beating out an infield single in a loss Monday to the Tigers.
The Sox had scored 14 runs in their last seven games and were 4-for-47 with runners in scoring position in their last eight before Anderson’s return. Anderson, who led the majors with a .335 batting average last season, was hitting .333 when he got hurt.
‘‘We just have to motivate ourselves, find that thing to get us going, whether it’s music or something else,’’ Anderson said. ‘‘We have to find some kind of rhythm and just be loose. Hopefully I can bring that back and get guys comfortable and set the tone, bring the energy back a little bit.
‘‘The main thing is to continue to have fun, and I always say the rest will take care of itself. I don’t think we are having fun right now.’’
Anderson and catcher James McCann reacted favorably to lefthander Dallas Keuchel calling out teammates for ‘‘going through the motions’’ after the Sox’ loss Monday.
‘‘We can make a million excuses, blame it on whatever it is,’’ Anderson said. ‘‘But just keep it simple . . . . We know how to go out and be dominant. We’ve seen it before; it’s there. We just have to bring that fire back. Hopefully we can get back on track and continue to grow as a team.’’
Anderson led off the Sox’ fourrun first inning with a walk and scored on a double by Jose Abreu. He then singled and scored on another double by Abreu in the seventh. He finished 1-for-4.
Injury update
Garcia’s injury is just the latest on the Sox’ lengthy list. He is batting .271 with three home runs and eight RBI and has made nine starts at shortstop, five at second base and one in right field.
The Sox have pitchers Carlos Rodon, Reynaldo Lopez, Aaron Bummer and Jimmy Lambert (45-day) on the IL. Second baseman Nick Madrigal is on the IL, and designated hitter Edwin Encarnacion — who homered in his return to the lineup Tuesday after missing six starts — and outfielder Eloy Jimenez have missed multiple games.
Manager Rick Renteria said Garcia has been advised not to slide headfirst into first base in the past but did so in the heat of a competitive moment.
Giolito, Keuchel pushed back
Right-hander Lucas Giolito and Keuchel were pushed back for an extra day of rest before their next starts Saturday and Sunday, respectively, against the Cardinals at Guaranteed Rate Field.
The Sox’ starter Friday is listed as TBA. It might be their second bullpen game in the slot vacated by Lopez.