Well, it certainly isn’t great news, but it’s better than what many were expecting.
After Yasmani Grandal left Monday night’s game with what was described as a “calf strain,” the White Sox announced something a bit more serious today: Grandal suffered a torn tendon in his left knee and was placed on the 10-Day IL.
As the White Sox mentioned, Grandal will be out 4-6 weeks as his knee recovers. This puts his return to the lineup sometime in early to mid-August.
Grandal, for as divisive of a player as he is among Sox fans, has been an important part of the White Sox’ offense as of late. Grandal really turned things on in June/July, Grandal slashed .256/.392/.561 with a .405 wOBA and 160 wRC+ while walking 18% of the time and striking out just 24% of the time. His offense will not be easy to replace.
In a corresponding move, the White Sox recalled Seby Zavala from AAA Charlotte. You might remember Zavala from his brief stint with the club in 2019, where he slashed .083/.083/.083 with a 75% strikeout rate in 12 plate appearances. He will look to improve on this line in his second MLB stint, though he has struggled in AAA this year. Zavala is slashing just .178/.291/.339 with a 43% strikeout rate in Charlotte, a place know for its high offensive output.
Zavala will be tested quickly for the South Siders, as he will catch Lance Lynn on Wednesday. Zavala has a reputation in the organization as a high-quality game caller, despite his offensive shortcomings.
In other news, the White Sox plan to activate Adam Engel tomorrow, so another roster move will be coming.
For now, Zack Collins becomes ever more important to the 2021 White Sox. Here’s hoping the former first-round pick can step up and provide for an offense that’s lost 4 of its main 9 starters in the lineup.
Follow us @SoxOn35th for more updates as they become available.
