Can't Catch A Break: Grandal Goes Down With Injury

The White Sox lost their third straight on Monday night, dropping a tough game by a score of 8-5 to the Minnesota Twins. They also lost their starting catcher. After missing three games in Detroit it was a pleasant surprise to have Yasmani Grandal back in the lineup. Grandal has served as the anchor of the White Sox offense as of late. In his last 15 games, he is hitting .298, with four home runs, 15 RBIs, eight walks, and a .574 slugging percentage. Coming into Monday's game his 14 home runs were tied for the team lead. Grandal was back at it with a superb 10-pitch at-bat off of Bailey Ober in the fourth inning to drive up the Twins starters' pitch count. He fouled off four pitches with two strikes and eventually drew a walk. In the sixth inning, he crumbled to the ground after a check swing. The non-contact injury made it look especially serious as Grandal rolled around on the grass wincing in pain. He eventually was helped to his feet but exited the game with a left calf strain. "You saw his reaction," manager Tony La Russa said. "Everyone is really concerned about him. He was playing outstanding All-Star type baseball. It's really uncertain what the diagnosis is going to be." It was a sight all too familiar to White Sox fans. One of their star players needing to be helped off the field. His left calf strain is the same injury that kept him out of the Detroit series. He will be re-evaluated. Grandal was unable to put weight on his left leg when he walked to the tunnel and was in crutches after the game. The White Sox have already lost Eloy Jimenez, Luis Robert, and Nick Madrigal as well as losing Adam Engel, Billy Hamilton, and Adam Eaton to significant time. In the bullpen, they are missing two of their top relievers, Evan Marshall and Aaron Bummer. Zack Collins subbed in for Grandal after the injury and did not inspire a ton of confidence. He struck out twice and looked lost behind the plate defensively. Dylan Cease struck out eight batters but gave up 6 runs and the White Sox found themselves trailing 6-1 in the sixth. But the White Sox rallied with a two-run RBI single from Leury Garcia and a two-run RBI triple from Yoan Moncada to make it 6-5 in the seventh. They had a chance to tie it but Yoan Moncada ran home on contact with no outs and was gunned out at the plate, killing the White Sox momentum. Max Kepler put the game out of reach with his second home run of the day in the eighth inning. Charlotte Knights catcher, Seby Zavala was en route to Minneapolis when the injury occurred. He will be traveling with the team and assume the backup role if Granal misses time. Zavala is hitting just .179 in 33 games with the Knights this season. Unlike Yasmani Grandal he does not get on base. The White Sox former emergency catcher was Yermin Mercedes, who was sent down to Triple-A on Friday. Grandal is having an excellent season. He was a finalist to start for the American League in the All-Star game and has been showcasing his power stroke as of late. The White Sox hope he can return to the field soon but the early signs are not promising.