Engel back from COVID injured list
The White Sox reinstated outfielder Adam Engel from the COVID injured list, and not a moment too soon. Engel started in center field Wednesday in place of standout rookie Luis Robert, who left Tuesday’s game against the Tigers with a sore hand after diving for a fly ball.
Robert, batting .276/.330/.517 with five home runs, 13 RBI and four stolen bases, had started all but one game this season. He could return Thursday for the last game of the four-game series.
“He was just a little sore, so out of an abundance of caution, we’re going to let him get treated up all day today and let the soreness get worked out of there,” manager
Rick Renteria said. “My hope is he’ll be able to get back in the lineup [Thursday]. I’m not making any promises . . . but nothing of significant concern whatsoever.”
To make room for Engel and Wednesday’s starting pitcher Dane Dunning, infielder Cheslor Cuthbert was designated for assignment and right-hander Jose Ruiz was assigned to Schaumburg.
Engel was on the COVID list for precautionary reasons. He had no symptoms but was isolated after he possibly was in contact with someone who was infected. He was out two days.
“You want to be with the team every day and just with the nature of the virus right now, we’ve been taking a lot of precautionary measures to make sure that everybody’s safe and that myself and my family is safe,” Engel said. “As it turned out, we had the best-case scenario, a bunch of negative tests. I’m healthy, my family’s healthy and I’m excited to be back with the team.”
Grandal update
Catcher Yasmani Grandal tested his sore back with some swings, Renteria said. Grandal, who left Monday’s game after making a throw to first base, is getting treatment and won’t be back until the weekend series against the Cubs at the earliest.
“With treatments, stretching out, he has been feeling better,” Renteria said.
Burger assigned to Schaumburg
Third baseman Jake Burger, a 2017 first-round draft choice who played in the CarShield collegiate summer league as he tries to come back from two ruptured Achilles injuries, has been assigned to Schaumburg.
Burger played four games in the Arizona League and 47 at low Class A Kannapolis in 2017. He ruptured his left Achilles running out a ground ball during a Cactus League game in spring training in 2018, then reinjured it walking in his yard.
“Gosh, I’m sure it means a lot to him,” Renteria said. “It means a lot to the White Sox. I know it’s probably been very, very frustrating for him, but he continues to push and push and push, and hopefully it’s the beginning of his ultimate return.”
Here come the Cubs
Dallas Keuchel (Friday) and Dylan Cease (Sunday) are slated to start against the Cubs. Saturday is Gio Gonzalez’s turn, but Renteria said that day is TBA.
◆ The Zack Collins and Danny Mendick postgame dance videos have become popular with fans, and the duo began selling T-shirts on Twitter on Wednesday. They are taking suggestions for guests from the team to appear on the videos.