The White Sox are set to get some much needed reinforcements early this week, as manager Pedro Grifol tells reporters (including MLB.com’s Scott Merkin) that both shortstop Tim Anderson and infielder Hanser Alberto are expected to return from the injured list on Tuesday.
That’s great news for the club, as the White Sox have begun their 2023 campaign with a worrisome 7-21 record that places them tied for last in the AL Central, nine games back of the division-leading Twins. A two time All Star who won the batting title in 2019, Anderson is one of the club’s marquee players. From 2019 to 2021 Anderson posted 11.6 fWAR in 295 games, a pace of nearly 6.4 fWAR per 162 games, thanks to solid defense at shortstop paired with a .322/.349/.495 slash line that was good for a 126 wRC+. That being said, Anderson missed three months of action in 2022 due to multiple injuries and didn’t reach those same standards when on the field, posting just a 110 wRC+ in 79 games along with a .093 ISO that was far below the .173 he managed during his peak years.
Even after a relative down season last year, however, Anderson figures to be one of the club’s best players this season, and any hope of a turnaround for the White Sox after this brutal start to the 2023 campaign likely rests in large part on his shoulders. In coming off the IL, he’ll be joined by Alberto, who figures to join Chicago’s bench mix alongside Romy Gonzalez, Lenyn Sosa, Gavin Sheets, and Adam Haseley. Despite a career wRC+ of just 77, Alberto is in his eighth year in the majors thanks to his versatility, which has allowed him to play all over the diamond except for behind the plate and in center field, and his penchant for avoiding strikeouts, as the 30-year-old veteran has punched out in just 12.2% of his 1,406 plate appearances in his career to this point.
More from around the AL Central…
- Twins right-hander Tyler Mahle underwent an MRI on his arm after he was diagnosed with an elbow impingement earlier this week. Manager Rocco Baldelli told reporters, including MLB.com’s Do-Hyoung Park, that the team will have more details soon but that Mahle is expected to miss his next start at the very least. It’s not currently known if an injured list stint will be necessary for Mahle, who has a 3.16 ERA in five starts so far in 2023. The Twins have a variety of options for a spot start on the 40-man roster if necessary, including Simeon Woods-Richardson, Cole Sands, Louie Varland and Brent Headrick.
- Tigers left-hander Tarik Skubal, who underwent flexor surgery last August, threw off a mound for the first time since his surgery yesterday, as noted by MLive’s Evan Woodberry. Everything went well during the bullpen, during which Skubal threw 15 fastballs. Skubal doesn’t figure to return from injury any time soon, but the positive update is nonetheless great news for the Tigers, who also lost fellow youngsters Casey Mize and Matt Manning before the season began. 2022 was something of a breakout season for Skubal, as the young lefty posted a 3.52 ERA and 2.96 FIP in 117 2/3 innings of work.
Update: Tim Anderson is no longer referring to himself as the modern day Jackie Robinson, now refers to himself as the modern day Michael X.
Tim Anderson is a constant drama Queen, who’s really not good enough or durable enough, to be worth all the constant drama. The Wsox should CLEAN HOUSE IMMEDIATELY, starting with T.A and Rick Hahn.
So TA coming back is the answer to this clubs woes? I think not, goes way deeper that that
I say give Michael X one last shot to be the salvation.
The Sox have too much talent, something is wrong internally, I look for a big shake up this off season.
that begins with GM rick hahn, who has publically and correctly stated that he and his poor roster construction are to blame for the reason the white sox are non competitive. he should get the axe midseason, but knowing Reinsdorf he wont be let go until he drags the white sox down for another season.
TA is one of the reasons for this team being an underachiever. They came in last year, including TA, spouting off about being the team to beat and how good they were when they did nothing in the playoffs the year before… That is of course when he did not spend a massive amount of games on the DL and unavailable to hit his singles to keep his average up when he was not constantly failing with runners in scoring position. but yeah, no not JUST his fault.
What’s so ‘worrisome’ about our Chisox 7-21 record (soon to be 7-22)? With all the talent they have, and the wealth of talent in their minor league system – they should be back in contention sometime around 2040.
After all, S Bend where the ol Hawkeroo resides is only a phone call away. Put the Hawk in charge again, with the Stone Pony as assistant GM, poof – – they’d be on their way. Don’t Stop Now Boys!!
“our ChiSox?” Nice try, Cubs fan. By the way Dog, I really don’t understand your constant South Side focus while your own team crapped the bed all weekend… you still can’t get over Steve Stone doing Sox games? Wow, get a life.
CWS ended up winning on Sunday, so the hopelessly delusional will declare an end to the White Sox’ long national nightmare. All is well – nothing to see here, folks.
This reply has nothing to do with what I asked him. I said nothing about Sunday, nor the Sox being good at all… you appear to know a thing or two about hopelessly delusional.
Why would anyone want to get rid of T & A?
Jackie is back!
Can you imagine a team so bad it is excited to get back hanser Alberto. The White Sox are inept and an embarrassment to baseball.
With all the questions that have inundated this team, Alberto could very well be the Hanser.
Lay the crumbs out for Hanser & Gretel to defeat the evil loss column…
Hoping for the best for Mahle. Hope it is not bad news.
I still follow all the Minnesota Reds, can’t you tell?
Varland up for Mahle’s next start. Maeda will miss another two starts and that spot belongs to Ober.
Can’t wait for Skubal to be back. He seems to have the most promise of the “big three”. Hopefully he gets some tune up starts late in the year in preparation for 2024.
What do you expect when you got One front office executive. Kenny Williams who Is owner lap dog. And other front office executive Rich Hahn trying to see how to kiss the A** of owner as well as Kenny does.
And rest of office staff are doing same thing that Kenny & Rich are doing.
Anything on Tiger Austin Meadows? He’s been on the 10 day IL for at least three weeks. (Interesting how that works…)
With mental health issues, Meadows could miss a another week or he could miss the rest of the season. I’d guess another month or two.
The South Siders are SO Chicago!
Manning made two starts this year before hitting the IL.
I noticed that mistake. They really should proof read these articles before they post them.
Sorry to interrupt the haters with facts, but research the Sox record over the past few years with Anderson in the lineup, vs Anderson out of the lineup.
Thanks
You’re welcome. I hope you grow a neck
So.. what are those actual numbers?
Yea yeah he makes a bad team better, but that’s not really a ringing endorsement, especially when said player seems to get hurt an awful lot lately. He does you no good if he is not in the lineup, correct?
Still no actual numbers?
Hint… WAR is way off.
Anderson had 2 DL stints last year. In the 79 games he played, the White Sox were 40-39. Anderson played in 11 games this season, the team was 5-6 in those games.
So, the Sox are 5-6 with Anderson and 3-15 without him this season.. Not sure what point you think you are making.
Also, “past few years” does not mean 13 months.
So you’re basing your expectations from the teams of ’20 &’21? And you’re confused that I’m using more relevant information from last year and this year. I don’t live in a vacuum and understand the 5.96 ERA & the team .296 OBP aren’t going to magically change when Anderson walks through the door. Ozzie said it a couple days ago, TA is not going to come back, and all the problems are solved. This isn’t basketball.
Bryce Harper is a vastly superior player and the Phillies haven’t fallen on their face.
Altuve is a vastly superior player and the Astros haven’t fallen on their face.
The Yankees have lost 3 from their starting rotation, relievers, Stanton & Donaldson and haven’t fallen on their face
The Mets have lost 3 from their rotation & their closer and they haven’t fallen on their face.
My post: “research the Sox record over the past few years with Anderson in the lineup, vs Anderson out of the lineup.”
If you choose to respond to my post, fine. If you choose to ignore it, even better. But it’s a bit disingenuous to take what I posted and twist it into a tortured pretzel, to fit your narrative.
do your research yourself, if you genuinely want to know the information. otherwise, keep putting people down for disagreeing with an unsupported claim, yet you prompt us to do your research for you
I didn’t make this up. I originally heard in on a Chicago radio show that airs on Saturday mornings, called “Talking Baseball” / “Inside the Clubhouse”. From what I recall, they said that over the past few years, the Sox are close to 20 games over .500 with Anderson in the lineup and near 25 games under .500 when he is out.
Their record this season confirms that trend, so I don’t feel the need to go back and verify it. You are the one replying to me… if you want to try to prove my sources wrong, go for it… otherwise, stop whining.
So the Sox had a team ERA of 3.81 in 2020, a 3.71 ERA in 2021. This year a 5.66 ERA and that has nothing to do with their record. Tim Anderson is the reason they’re 14 games under .500. You’re a genius.
White Sox weekly confirmed it last Saturday. Jesse Rogers said that he’s been following Tim Anderson’s winning and losing % over the past several years. The Sox are above .550 when he’s in the starting lineup and under .400 when he’s not.
I realize that there are many more variables, not the least of which are the poor replacements for Don Cooper and Herm Scheider…. but your smarmy attitude exposes your insecurity.
“I realize that there are many more variables”
No you don’t you’ve blabbered on that the Sox have a better record with Anderson in the lineup. And that he is the sole reason for the result.
Obviously what you aren’t aware of us that talk sports guys dumb down the information the provide for listeners with small baseball IQs.
Sorry, I never said that Anderson was the “sole reason”.
Nice self-own.
You lose.
I did not say that you said “Anderson was the sole reason”… You repeatedly inferred that he was the sole reason. The receipts are on this page.
“research the Sox record over the past few years with Anderson in the lineup, vs Anderson out of the lineup.”
“Sox are 5-6 with Anderson and 3-15 without him this season.”
“Sox are close to 20 games over .500 with Anderson in the lineup and near 25 games under .500 when he is out. Their record this season confirms that trend,”
“White Sox weekly confirmed… Tim Anderson’s winning and losing % over the past several years. The Sox are above .550 when he’s in the starting lineup and under .400 when he’s not.”
If that wasn’t what you were inferring, what in the world are you suggesting?
Nothing from the guy that sadly listens to Saturday morning talk radio for his sports insight? Own it. You were selling that the reason the Sox had a winning record for 3 years because, Anderson WAS in the lineup. But you now tell us there are actually other factors that may have contributed to the team winning or losing? So which it is it?
I never said that Anderson being out of the lineup was the only reason.
… congrats on slaying that straw man!
The Sox beat Cleveland tonite 8-3. Anderson contributed nothing other than lackluster defense, but in your world, the Sox won because Anderson was in the lineup. Anyone other than you and the talk radio dopes add the win to that stat you provided. You’re very insightful.
You’re obviously obsessed with me. Maybe you should get help for that.
I know right? You’re a trainwreck and I can’t stop looking.
Now you’re just stalking.
Please tell me more about the impact a guy has on a team that’s hitting .263/.305/.306 and Statcast grades out as one of the worst SS in MLB.. I’ll hang up and listen.
Wow… get a psychiatrist,
If I could trigger you this badly over a silly sport, just think what other issues you have.
No intelligent response from the guy who pushed the narrative that Anderson is the reason the Sox win when he’s in the lineup, and lose when he’s not. You lose.
Statcast ranks Anderson the 31st best SS in MLB based on OAA.
Stalker, all I said was that over the past few years, the Sox are well over .500 with Anderson in the lineup, and well under .500 when he is not.. I’ve never been a TA fan… I prefer a SS to be great defensively.
Sorry that math is hard for you.
The Sox need a LOT more than a shortstop with a holey glove who tends to get hurt for chunks of the season.
While the Sox were admirable in coming back to win today, there is clearly a LOT of dysfunction in the locker room. Especially when you have players that reportedly do not know who their bench coach is and also are trying to play hurt without thinking about telling their manager… A manager that sounds too much like a cheerleader than a manager, and sloppy play from guys who should not be on the major league roster like Sosa. Never mind that the same four players of their ‘core’ of the team are chronically injured in Moncada, Jimenez, Robert, and Anderson.
So I just ran into Rick Hahn at the Chilis in Countryside . He was at a table with Pablo Ozuna and Donnie Hill. I was sporting my Phillies Greg Luzinski #19 jersey . So our tables were right next to each other. So I overheard him saying that Brian Anderson is going to be making a comeback again as a relief pitcher. Word is he is going to back in a uniform in the next few weeks. Stay tuned