GLENDALE, Ariz. -- Charlie Tilson has a walking boot on his right foot and was moving around Camelback Ranch on crutches Tuesday, a day after the White Sox decided to shut down the 24-year-old outfielder for at least three weeks.
Tilson, who is dealing with a stress reaction in his right foot, will begin the 2017 season on the disabled list, which is a tough disappointment for someone who seemed to be the early favorite to be the White Sox opening day center fielder in April.
"I thought the time off would help my leg to recover and give it some life as I started to run again," Tilson said. "We did everything we (could) to help that. It’s just one of those things you gotta look at yourself in the mirror and be honest with yourself. When I was out there, I’m not necessarily up to speed. My foot trending the way it was, it’s a reality you’ve gotta face."
Tilson believes the stress reaction happened due to the extra strain put on his right leg while rehabbing the torn left hamstring he suffered only a few innings into his major league debut last August. While Monday’s follow-up MRI confirmed the original diagnosis of a stress reaction -- not a fracture -- that it’s a bone issue means Tilson will have to be patient in his recovery process.
"That’s the most frustrating part, there’s very few ways to expedite that healing," Tilson said. "(My) right leg had to do a lot of work because of left leg. You have to kind of assess the situation. It’s killing me. I just gotta step back and take care of myself. I don’t want to be a negative distraction. I gotta take care of my business."