Well, having a fully healthy team was fun while it lasted!
Prior to the game this evening versus the Royals, the White Sox placed Lucas Giolito on the 10-Day Injured List with a strained left hamstring. In a corresponding move, the team recalled Ryan Burr from AAA Charlotte.
Giolito tweaked his hamstring on a swinging bunt during his last start against the Pirates. It appears his foot gave out from underneath him. Giolito tried to throw a few pitches and initially stayed in the game, but it was clear he would not be able to continue.
According to Giolito, the injury didn’t feel as bad as the same hamstring injury he had a few years back, which is why he initially fought to stay in the game.
Giolito has been arguably the best White Sox starting pitcher in the second half of the season. Opponents are slashing just .204/.258/.367 against him since the All-Star Break, good for a 2.82 ERA and .268 wOBA. He had been establishing himself back in the conversation to be the Game 1 starter in the ALDS.
The good news is that it appears he can keep his name in that conversation. According to Tony La Russa, the injury doesn’t appear to be overly serious; the team is choosing caution while it still has the ability to before October.
With the White Sox bringing up Ryan Burr, it’s not incredibly clear who will fill Giolito’s spot in the rotation. Reynaldo Lopez will take Lance Lynn’s upcoming start in Kansas City, and perhaps Lynn will be back in time to start in Giolito’s next scheduled spot.
Burr has had an interesting season. While he has a 2.84 ERA, the 19.6% strikeout rate, 13.7% walk rate, and 4.90 FIP tell a story of a player who had seen quite a little bit of luck in his performances. Indeed, before he was sent back to AAA Charlotte, he started to get hit around a little bit. With the Knights, Burr has struggled with a 4.60 ERA. He will likely find himself in low-leverage situations.
The message remains the same, however: just get healthy for October. These moves have clearly been made out of caution.
Follow Us @SoxOn35th for more updates!
Featured Photo: @FotoGenocide_ / Twitter
