ST. PETERSBURG, Fla. — Luis Robert Jr. had been trending toward getting back on the field soon as he works toward a return from the Grade 2 right hip flexor strain suffered April 5, but the All-Star center fielder had what manager Pedro Grifol called “a little setback” in his recovery process and will continue to be monitored before he begins playing in games at the White Sox’ complex in Arizona.
“He was a little hesitant early in the week,” said general manager Chris Getz, who was on hand to see the Sox defeat the Rays 4-1Wednesday to salvage the third game of their series and complete a 3-3 road trip that began in St. Louis. “He feels pretty good, so we’re going to monitor that, no one is too concerned with it, we still feel like he’s going to get into game action relatively soon, get some at-bats at Arizona and join an affiliate at some point.”
Ranking last in the majors in numerous offensive categories, the Sox badly need Robert’s bat, although they tied a season high with 12 hits Wednesday, including Paul DeJong’s team-high fifth homer, a two-run go-ahead blast in the fifth against right-hander Aaron Civale.
Two weeks ago, Getz gave an encouraging report on Robert, saying he could be back as early as mid-May. Without offering a specific timeline Wednesday, Getz said “we’re not too concerned, but we want to make sure he’s fully healthy before we get him in any game action.”
How many games Robert would need at an affiliate, most likely Triple-A Charlotte, before returning to the Sox, is yet to be determined.
“There’s the physical component to it and there is the baseball component to it,” Getz said. “You want to make sure he’s comfortable on both ends before you bring him up to the major league level.”
Robert tore his right hip flexor in May, 2021 and was out three months. He was limited to 98 games with various injures in 2022, then played a careeer high 145 games last season. Grifol said his current issue “wasn’t a big deal.”
“It was just part of it,” Grifol said. “He was going great. And he’s still going good. I heard he bounced back really good. We’ll see how that goes. But it’s going to take a little bit. His injury was significant, so you can’t rush that.
“It’s very hard to have an injury like that and not have anything pop up. But everything I’m hearing is it’s normal. And they’ll restructure some things. It’s just part of it.”
Rockin’ Ramos
Third baseman Bryan Ramos doubled and scored on DeJong’s homer, and, hitting to the right side to advance Andrew Benintendi, scored him instead with a single. He showed good instincts advancing to third but also almost crashed into catcher Martin Maldonado on a foul pop.
All told, he has made a good impression in his first five major league games.
“He doesn’t look overmatched,” Getz said. “This is a nice opportunity to boost his development.”
Ramos, who is 5-for-14 with a walk and two RBI, doubled off the left field wall.
“I said ‘Go ball,’ '' Ramos said. “Two more push-ups and it’s a homer.”
Remillard returns
To fill the traded Robbie Grossman‘s spot on the roster, the Sox selected the contract of infielder Zach Remillard from Triple-A Charlotte.
Remillard, 30, has played in two games with the Sox in 2024, going 1-for-5 with a run scored. He batted .252/.295/.320 in 54 games last season.
