The White Sox placed outfielder Adam Eaton the 10-day injured list today due to a strained right hamstring. The placement is retroactive to June 15. Right-hander Zack Burdi was promoted from Triple-A to take Eaton’s spot on the active roster.
With Eaton sidelined, this means that Chicago’s entire projected Opening Day outfield is now on the injured list. While Eaton’s hamstring problem doesn’t seem nearly as serious as the injuries that have sidelined Eloy Jimenez and Luis Robert for the bulk of the season, it does underline how the Sox have managed to adapt and thrive despite these significant setbacks. In particular, hamstring and leg injuries have struck several White Sox players this season, with GM Rick Hahn recently discussing about how the team has been trying to figure out if there is any sort of root cause behind this unusual recurring issue.
Originally a member of the White Sox from 2014-16, Eaton returned to the Windy City this offseason after signing a one-year free agent deal worth $8MM in guaranteed money (including the $1MM buyout of an $8.5MM club option the Sox hold on Eaton for 2022). The results haven’t been good at the plate, as Eaton is hitting .195/.296/.345 over 203 plate appearances and his 25.1% strikeout rate is the highest of his career.
With Eaton gone, the Sox have Andrew Vaughn, Adam Engel, and Brian Goodwin as their starting outfield, with Jake Lamb and Leury Garcia able to fill in as part-timers. Outfield already seemed like a target area for the White Sox at the trade deadline given the uncertainty over Jimenez and Robert, and if Eaton ends up having to miss more time beyond the 10-day minimum, the club could be inspired to make a move sooner rather than later to shore up depth.
What is with the incredible amount of hamstring and quad injuries this year? Can’t remember a season with so many before.
Likely just a ploy to have another pitcher for the Houston series.
At least Moncada back tonight with his sinus issues hopefully resolved.
I should have added I meant across all of baseball.
I think I’m right that this is the most meaningful series between our teams since 2005? 🙂
THESE Astros bear up under pressure a bit better than the old Killer B’s did.
How could they not!
Personally I think they brought up Burdi to see if he can do well enough to be part of a package for an outfield or second base upgrade.
Zack Burdi could very well be showcased for a summer trade but it’s not as if the White Sox bullpen couldn’t use some help with many of their usually reliable arms struggling with consistency this season. Only Liam Hendricks, Garrett Crochet and currently injured swingman Michael Kopech have been dominant on a regular basis thus far in 2021.
Aaron, who are ‘their usually reliable arms’? What kind of time frame do you put on ‘usually’? Bummer- he had almost one year, I guess. The basic problem is, you guys listen to the biased exaggerations of Benetti and the Stoned Pony for so long, you start believing some of these guys like the Yerminator are ready for their HOF inductions.
Anybody who watched the White Sox… heck any baseball last year would tell you there’s nothing “biased” or “exaggerated” about the White Sox bullpen pieces. bummer and Heuer aren’t having great years, but the bullpen is still among the top corps in the game. But you are an average Cubs fan, so I digress.
The White Sox bullpen was what helped elevate them to a postseason birth last season. Thus far in 2021 it has been their starting rotation. Most all of those relievers from 2020 have returned this season along with Michael Kopech. The primary change had the White Sox swap out free agent closers this past offseason by signing Liam Hendricks and letting Alex Colome walk.
On paper, their bullpen looked to be significantly stronger for 2021. That could still happen and if it does the White Sox figure to be the odds on favorite to represent the AL in the World Series considering how deep their rotation is with the free agent addition of Lance Lynn, the resurgence of temporary FA Carlos Rodon and the improvement of Dylan Cease. Kopech offers additional depth as a potential 6th starter, swingman or late inning setup man down the stretch once he returns from the IL.
If you believe the Chisox bullpen is among the tops in baseball, you need to watch more baseball. Other than Hendriks and Kopech I wouldn’t trust anyone out there.
And as for Benetti. He is the total opposite of Vin Scully. Scully let the game breathe and he respected the knowledge of the fans watching the broadcast. Benetti and Stone try to make the game, about their interpretation of the game. They cannot help themselves from over analyzing even the most insignificant aspects within every game.
Maybe it’s because they feel their fans are all like the ones that attack opposing coaches.
Aaron, seems to me that you and Chisox city have opposite views of the performance of this years white Sox bullpen.
I totally agree with your opinion on the bullpen. When Kopech gets back I think Heuer and Foster need to be send down with ERA’s over 6 at this point in the season. Bring up Fry who’s been pretty solid in AAA. He’s another lefty as well. Even though Burr is a small sample size thus far I’d keep him in the pen as long as he keeps putting up 0’s in relief.
@Dogbone
I hate to say this, but Dogbone actually has a legit beef here. The only reliable arms have been Hendriks, Kopech, and Crochet. Bummer shows sign of his old self, but otherwise has been inconsistent this season. Heuer, Foster, and Marshall have all been disappointments so far. I think Heuer and Foster benefitted from last year’s craziness and they are being exposed this year. Ruiz has pitched better this year, but not exactly high leverage situations. Too early to tell on Burr and Burdi.
The bullpen as a whole has had its moments, but there’s been many times where I cringe when TLR goes to the pen. Wednesday was a perfect example. That game should not have went into extras (thankfully they pulled it out).
Thankfully it’s still early enough for some of these guys to turn it around (I’m staring right at you Bummer and Marshall). I do agree both Foster and Heuer should go back down to Charlotte.
BTW, you’re older than I thought, Dogbone. I forgot all about the fans attacking the KC coach and the ump several years ago.
Amazingly, Sox just got better.
Yup. Outfield addition by subtraction.
An OF of mix and match solid backup types can work for now with the starters doing so well.
Adam Engle is solid and should play most nights. Nice glove and sneaky power at the dish.
Leury Garcia also plays CF and not just the corners in the outfield. In fact, the versatile Garcia has played more games in CF (23) this season than at any of the 6 positions he has manned. He was the White Sox primary starting CF when Luis Robert went down with his injury and prior to the return of Adam Engel with Billy Hamilton also getting some reps before the latter was placed on the IL June 6th with his right oblique strain.
Garcia will be getting more reps along with Danny Mendick at 2B with the season ending injury to Nick Madrigal but still should see plenty of OF action with Robert, Hamilton, Eloy Jimenez and now Adam Eaton all on the IL.
Unfortunately, being versatile is about the only thing he’s good at.
Zach Burdi is the remnant from the 2014 Shark trade. He was free agent compensation in the 2016 draft.
Did they check with Drake LaRoche before giving the go-ahead to move him to the IL?
The LaRoche jokes age about as well as milk.
The Sox need to make a move by the trade deadline. They should go after a RF who can generate offense AND field reliably.
Not sure who will be available, but some combination of Kopech, Vaughn, Collins, Madrigal, and/or their top 3 prospects are gone.
The White Sox will likely be pursuing a rental acquisition for 2B, maybe RF and perhaps a bullpen arm. If that’s the case they won’t be parting with any of those 4 players in a deadline trade. Only a more controllable trade target such as OF/2B Ketel Marte would change that.
RF is the only hole in their lineup, for this season and beyond. Eloy and Robert should be back in time for the playoffs, so that leaves RF.
Just can’t wait to see Eloy come back. It’s so much fun watching him try to chase and catch fly balls.
I don’t see RF as a major hole this season if in fact both Luis Robert and Eloy Jimenez return for the stretch run and into the playoffs. In this scenario, the two Adams, Eaton and Engel could provide a formidable platoon in RF with one available off the bench for each game. They would also provide late inning defense for Jimenez or Andrew Vaughn, whoever plays LF on a particular day. I also like Eaton’s postseason pedigree. ‘Spanky’ was an instrumental part of the Nationals 2019 World Series championship team.
I am also less pessimistic in regards to an internal answer for RF down the road. Converted left-handed hitting first baseman Gavin Sheets has produced impressive numbers at AAA Charlotte while Micker Adolfo has finally been healthy as the RF at AA Birmingham.
Additionally, recently signed top Cuban OF prospect Yoelkis Céspedes has finally gotten his Visa issues resolved and should be assigned to AA Birmingham after some catch-up work in Arizona. The White Sox will also be signing another top Cuban OF prospect Oscar Colás next January when the next international signing period commences. Both Céspedes and Colás are considered advanced prospects who profile well in RF and will be on a fast track to the Southside. Cespedes expects to make his White Sox debut sometime in 2022 while Colás could do likewise the following season.
If I were the White Sox GM I would prioritize the acquisition of pending Pirates free agent 2B/OF Adam Frazier to replace Nick Madrigal this season. I might also be on the lookout for a veteran bullpen arm for the backend of the bullpen.
Nope, the Sox need an everyday player in RF who can contribute THIS YEAR for a playoff run. None of the guys you’re talking about are consistently hitting well enough to help them win a WS, and that should be a concern for Rick Hahn.
@Dogbone- Doggone it and this is a guy who probably whines about Sox fans who bash the Cubs too!
Not at all. Love the conversation. Getting to facts is what I value.
@Dogbone
“Getting to facts is what I value.”
We’re still waiting on that one.
Though I will admit your take on the bullpen was your best offering in the last several months. That doesn’t mean you have to celebrate early.
@Aaron Sapoznik
Absolutely agree. RF is not a huge hole if both Eloy and Robert make it back. As long as they keep playing well, they can afford to wait until getting more definite news on both before making any moves. They have to get an upgrade to Mendick at 2B regardless, but that might be the only offensive move they need to make (depending on where both Eloy and Robert are at by the deadline).
I would not part with Vaughn, Kopech, Crochet, Madrigal, or Collins. Yermin’s the one I would move, if I’m moving a big name. Move him while he’s still showing strong numbers. I’m fine they keep him, but he would be the one I’d dangle to get a good return.
I’d keep Collins. He may be more of a defensive C, but what he does well are the most important things for a C, which is calls a good game and handles the P’s well. Ironic thing is, those are the two things that can’t be tracked by advanced metrics. Collins doesn’t have to be Bench or Fisk. If he’s a career backup C for the Sox and does those two things well, he’s definitely earned a spot on the 26-man roster.
The White Sox aren’t trading Zack Collins this summer. His value as their #2 catcher is too great to be moving in the middle of a pennant race. With all the work catchers put in with pitching staffs it’s rare for one to be dealt in the midst of a pennant race. For non-contenders it’s a different story but Collins is staying put on the Southside of Chicago at least through this season.
@Aaron Sapoznik
The Collins topic was more in response to what the other guy posted. I don’t see him getting moved while Grandal is still there unless they get another C they can’t possibly pass up (and I just don’t see that happening).
As long as he keeps doing well calling games, he shouldn’t have problem keeping a job with the Sox, even if it’s just a backup C (which that’s all it will ever be unless he figures out how to produce offensively with consistency).
You’re completely insane man.
Mercedes is a big name? Holy shiiiiit.
Showing strong numbers? Dude hasn’t had a hit in his last 100 ab’s. I mean what a comment. Lol I’ll sit and wait at the haul he’s gonna get you.
@lefty
Nice hyperbole. I didn’t say he would fetch a return of Mike Trout. He’s a big enough name GM’s would notice. You were close, in his last 110 AB’s, he’s had 18 hits. Those 10 AB’s before the last 100 must’ve been so good, they counted 8 of those hits twice.
Yes, the guy has fallen off considerably, and he’s not going to net an enormous haul on his own, but he’s not suddenly untradeable. Headline him with some prospects, to get the 2B the Sox need for an upgrade over Mendick. Pretty sure that can happen.
Your comment was completely ridiculous and you know it.
And here you sit trying to defend it.
As I said—I’ll wait for the good return he’ll bring.
@lefty
And your response wasn’t even more ridiculous? LMAO
Because it’s impossible for him to bounce back from his slump, right? You know, the 0-for-100 slump you said he’s currently in.
Don’t wait too long, very likely he won’t get traded. That’s the guy I would try to trade, not the guy Hahn would actually trade.
@83sox94win05
I was responding to ChiSoxCity in regards to Zack Collins and the other potential White Sox ‘trade’ options he mentioned as well.
@Aaron Sapoznik
I see Cespedes is finally playing tonight for Winston-Salem. Obviously it’s too late for him to contribute for the Sox this year, but if he can rake in the minors this year and early next year, that will go a long way in solving their problem in RF. But way too early to tell. It’s just nice to see him finally playing after nothing for months.
@83sox94win05
Yes. It now been revealed that Yoelkis Céspedes has been playing all along at the White Sox extended spring training camp in Glendale Arizona including competitively in games. He just couldn’t be assigned to an ‘official’ affiliate due to issues with his work visa until this past week: soxon35th.com/white-sox-assign-cuban-outfield-pros…
Looks like your guy Mercedes had another fine nite at the plate last nite.
@ lefty
You’re still talking about this? LMAO
You keep being you. The rest of us love it.
This is the year of the hamstring in MLB. Maybe these players should consider ♂️ instead of lifting so many weights.
JC, there might not be anything to this, but if there is really an epidemic like number of muscle pulls around MLB, statistically significant enough for an explanation to be sought, you can’t help but wonder with the timing if it is a by product of the vaccines. Covid produces fatigue, and if the effects of the vaccines produce some very small level of lingering muscular fatigue even on a micro level, perhaps there is a relation.
Maybe not, just wondering out loud. I know that people have experienced body aches for a lingering time afterward, my dad even having some weird stuff a few weeks after his shots that I wondered if were related to that. So just made me wonder. If the hamstring pulls are not statistically significant, then there is nothing to that, obviously. Again just wondering. Otherwise I can’t imagine what the cause would be that would make this year any different.
@jhomeslice
Never though of that, but it does make sense. And I’m not in any way, shape, or form associated with the medical field, so I have no idea if there actually is a relation there. Regardless, I applaud you on your thinking.
I looked at the Cubs DL list and didn’t see any hamstring or quad injuries. I’m guessing there is nothing to that, and it’s just something that seems significant to the Sox, because they happened to have 2 guys with hamstring injuries (Madrigal, Engel) and Robert with a hip flexor. Eloy running into a wall does not need an explanation!! The Sox luck with injuries has sure been unbelievably bad, whatever the reason.
You forgot Anderson, Hamilton, Eaton, and Kopech as hamstring guys… and Yoan, but he always has hamstring issues.
And it’s been an issue around the league. The Cubs have been very lucky.
Yeah, that’s a lot of guys. Seems like a lot of basketball players with hamstring issues too, although that’s a pretty common injury. If there really is something unusual going on with like 2 or 3+ times the number of players normally injured (and it was across multiple sports), then maybe something is going on that could be related to the vaccines, who knows. I hope that isn’t the correct explanation.
Eaton looks like he could be out of baseball in a couple years, to me. Only surprising that he was the last of their OF’s to wind up on the DL. A bit of irony there. Engel looks quite good, 3 homers since he’s been back in 10 days, without even playing every day. If he gets healthy enough to play every day he might show himself to be good enough against all pitchers to make Eaton’s return irrelevant, if it isn’t already because Eaton just isn’t good. A lefty/righty platoon makes no sense if the right handed hitter hits right handed pitchers adequately, and the lefty cannot hit anybody. Goodwin does not have to be very good either to help keep Eaton on the bench the rest of the season, with the bar set so low. I hope we’ve seen the last of Eaton in the lineup with any frequency, personally. If his struggles are partly due to injury, he has been hurt so regularly the past 4 years that it is unlikely to get better for more than a very short period of time anyway. Not worth playing him, upside is so low and improbable that they are best to play guys who will be the ones healthy and actually playing in October.
@jhomeslice
Unless he’s injured worse than anyone was letting on, he does look washed up. I agree, he’s probably out of MLB in a couple years. And the only reason I don’t say next year is some team will gamble on him. He really fell off the cliff these last couple years.
I’m liking Engel in the lineup also. Great D and solid offense. He’ll never be an All-Star, but can be a solid contributor day in and day out (and that’s all they need from him).
They sure are being careful with Engel, he is not in the starting lineup again tonight. The fact that he is playing, and performing well without visible signs of anything wrong, must mean he is relatively healthy. But odd that he sits every other game basically. Hopefully we will see more of him at some point, and that there is nothing going on with his legs.
Eaton has been banged up for months; this DL stint is long overdue.
Going to have to make some trades. Need a LF/RF,2B & some BP help.