White Sox closer David Robertson won’t pitch until after the All-Star break after suffering a strain high in his left leg earlier this week.
Robertson underwent an MRI, which he said revealed something “mild” that’s just in a bad spot He said the issue first cropped up after pitching last Wednesday against the New York Yankees.
“It was just a little sore and had some discomfort,” Robertson, who has a 3.22 ERA and 23 saves, said. “I came to the field (Friday) and I wasn’t able to pitch, I wasn’t able to go. I had to tell Robin (Ventura).”
Due to Robertson’s absence, right-hander Matt Albers was forced into a key spot in the eighth inning Saturday against the Atlanta Braves after Zach Duke was lifted following 1 1/3 scoreless innings. Albers allowed a one-out double and, after getting Gordon Beckham to ground out, intentionally walked Freddie Freeman.
[SHOP: Gear up, White Sox fans!]
Right-hander Nate Jones relieved Albers and earned a four-out save despite loading the bases in the ninth inning.
While not getting to pitch in Saturday’s one-run game was difficult, Robertson said he should be ready to return to action when the White Sox start up play after the All-Star break next Friday against the Los Angeles Angels.
“It’s making it tough for me to pitch right now because I can’t move that well,” Robertson said. “Doctors are saying a couple of days, so I’m thinking right after the All-Star break I’ll be ready to roll.”
It might be a long shot for the White Sox to sign free agent Manny Machado, but here on the White Sox Talk Podcast, we like dark horses. Chuck Garfien, Ryan McGuffey and Vinnie Duber discuss what it would take to bring Machado to the South Side. Plus, is he "the" guy the White Sox are targeting this offseason? Will the Rockies listen to trade offers for Nolan Arenado a year before he reaches free agency? Plus, Chuck talks about a cost-controlled, All-Star on a rebuilding team that could be an answer at third base.
Listen to the full podcast here or via the embedded player below:
Mark Buehrle. Jon Garland. Freddy García. José Contreras.
The 2005 White Sox had four consecutive complete games to finish off the 2005 ALCS — Contreras took his turn in Game 5 against the Angels 13 years ago Tuesday. How special was that run of starting pitching to finish that series? Consider the following six statements:
— No team has had more than two complete games in a single postseason, let alone a postseason series, since.
— There has been a grand total of four complete games in 188 postseason games (through Monday) since the beginning of 2016.
— Those 2005 White Sox remain the only team with four complete games in a single LCS (which went to a best-of-seven format in 1985).
— They are the only team since the 1968 Tigers (in the World Series) with at least four complete games in any postseason series.
— They are the only team since the 1956 Yankees (in the World Series) with at least four consecutive complete games in a series. (The Yankees had five in a row: Games 3 through 7.)
— They are the only team since the 1928 Yankees (in the World Series) with at least four consecutive complete-game wins in a series (Games 1 through 4).
Take a moment to look back and appreciate what Don Cooper’s troops were able to accomplish in that series. The way the game is played nowadays, we will never see it again.
